Internet Filtering: Australia heads further towards totalitarianism

[CoffeeKing]

Chinese state media has said the country now has more than 50 million bloggers.

Talk about "Bloggered" sheesh

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/710478/china-has-more-than-50-million-bloggers

 

[sinner]

Please do not let this issue fall by the way side

http://www.rustylime.com/show_article.php?id=2929

Australian government pushes on with 'ridiculous' ISP filter

The Australian Federal Government is pushing forward with plans to force Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to filter all Internet traffic within Australia. This proposal, which the government says is non-negotiable, will be mandatory for all people inside Australia. Making matters significantly worse, communications minister Senator Conroy, refuses to even discuss the issue in parliament or with the press. As such, the only details available are those being leaked by concerned ISPs.

When the Labour party came to power in 2007, one of their election promises was to do away with the previous government's plan to filter the Internet, however, as they failed to gain a majority in the Senate, they have been forced to partner with the Family First and Christian Democrat parties, both of whom represent the right-wing Christian vote. In so doing, they are now pushing the pet projects of those parties, in return for votes on their big ticket items, such as their environmental policies. So now we see the return of Internet filtering to the agenda.

The filter is being pushed to "protect children" from pornography, online gambling and paedophilia. Of course, the filter assumes that every single Internet user is a child, as, being ISP based, there is no way to turn it off. If it goes ahead, the filter will be more restrictive than those in either Iran or China.

What makes this situation so sinister is that Senator Conroy is actively refusing to discuss the issue. Even in Question Time, in parliament, he is simply ignoring questions being directed to him on the topic and has only stated that "people who are against the bill are for paedophilia". He has also tried legal action to silence critics of the plan. So we are now dangerously close to having mandatory Internet filtering introduced in this country and many people either don't care (understand) or simply don't even know.

However the ISPs being forced to get involved are not staying silent. Here's a little bit of what we now know about the proposed filter:

* It will be mandatory. No one will be able to opt out.
* Tests so far show almost 86% reduction in speed. Home ADSL accounts perform at worse than dial up performance.
* Initial testing showed tens of thousands of false positive sites. False positives sites that users cannot access include youtube, slashdot and MySpace. Additionally, countless innocent Blogs and newsites were banned.
* The filter will also ban sites with "key words". Sites such as RustyLime are likely to therefore be banned, as they may include the word "sex" or "kiddie pr0n" in user comments.
* Almost all actual pr0n sites were still available.
* Once a site is banned there is no know way to have it "unbanned".
* Sites that share a server with banned hosts will also be banned. As some servers host thousands of web pages, this will cause massive outages.

So in effect, this idiotic proposal will reduce the Australian Internet to a barely functioning, circa 1990's speed pile of junk... while leaving the pr0n freely available. Additionally, Australians will never be allowed to see what is on the list or what the criteria for blocking is.

iiNet's Mike Malone, CEO of Australia's second largest ISP has referred to Senator Conroy as "...the worst Communications Minister we've had in the 15 years since the [internet] industry has existed...". Considering his predecessor tried to "make email forwarding illegal", that should tell you something about this man's credentials. He stated that:

"...They're not listening to the experts, they're not listening to the industry, they're not listening to consumers..."

Australia's largest ISP, Telstra has likewise made several statements that this proposal will never achieve its goal and will only damage the Internet. Initial testing by Telstra found that not only did the filtering massively degrade performance but it also caused the service to completely fail regularly:

"...Anything you are going to put in the end-to-end data path that actually does blocking can be invasive. It's invasive meaning it is expensive [to implement], and invasive in the sense that installing it in our network is complicated and may in fact cause outages..."

Conroy doesn't plan to stop there, however. He also plans to filter:

* MSN chats.
* Email.
* Secure web traffic, including banking transactions.

And hopes to eliminate P2P traffic altogether. When questioned about the legitimate use of torrents, for example obtaining Linux, Conroy typically had no response.

This means the government will be reading your email and online chats and deciding what you can and cannot say in them. Strangely enough - no one seems to care about this. The TV media is barely touching the topic and while print press is all over it, Joe Public doesn't care about something until his TV tells him to. Of course, the large media companies stand to gain a lot out of this, as they are the ones pushing the inclusion of the ban on P2P and torrents.

The Internet filter is now in its final stage of testing and despite a complete and utter failure in all previous stages, Conroy intends to press on and sort out the details once it is in place. The filter is planned to be introduced to all Australian's in 2009.

When we have absolute luddites in charge of our technology, who are completely at the whim of even more luddite Christian groups and if there is no public outrage, then this filter is virtually assured to go ahead. None of the decision makers in this process have even the slightest understanding of the technologies involved and despite every single committee and working group reporting back that it is destined to seriously damage the internet, while failing to achieve it's objectives, they're just pressing forward.

I urge all Australians to care about this. Get involved. If you don't the Internet you know and love is about to go away for ever and you will only have yourselves to blame. If you don't ordinarily get involved then this is the one thing you should get involved in.

Sites to visit:

http://www.efa.org.au/censorship/mandatory-isp-blocking/
http://www.somebodythinkofthechildren.com/

Also visit www.getup.org.au

 

[Wysiwyg]

Look people, you have had too much freedom for too long and it is time for us to take control of your choices again.Don`t worry about the criminals who exploit the internet, we are going to protect you from them.It is for your own good.
Be quiet, sit still and you will feel no pain.

Regards, YOUR scheming leader.

 

[Aussiejeff]

"To the working families of Australia, this is your Big Bro and Leader, Kev'09IsFine speaking. I'd like to take this opportunity to announce we have had a great breakthrough regarding the Internet. We are now in a position to save you all from the evils of ... bad stuff... and other such indescribable misery despoiling your minds.

Firstly, starting Monday next week, we will mail to every household an initial year's supply of "Sweet Dreams" - a small pill recently developed by our new Social Health Department, to be taken by every citizen on a dailly basis, that will markedly reduce day to day stress and guarantee you all feel much, much better. Of course, you all realise that you must trust us in everything we do, as it is for you and only you that we do these things.

Secondly, as your Leader, I know you will love our new NoMoreNastiesNumbNet filter, which Senator Conroy has scientifically proved to be a great success in eliminating ...bad stuff... from everyone's computers. Of course, we knew you would all want this very badly, so no referendum was needed.

Your trusted Government has also decided to take direct control of all ISP's so that we can broadcast interesting social engineering ideas that we may have from time to time. You will all be happy to know you can expect to see much, much more of me, your humble Leader, in Webcasts and Net advertisements promoting the great work this caring government has in mind for you all.

I thank you all for your total support."

 

[Aussiejeff]

Australia's largest ISP, Telstra has likewise made several statements that this proposal will never achieve its goal and will only damage the Internet. Initial testing by Telstra found that not only did the filtering massively degrade performance but it also caused the service to completely fail regularly:

"...Anything you are going to put in the end-to-end data path that actually does blocking can be invasive. It's invasive meaning it is expensive [to implement], and invasive in the sense that installing it in our network is complicated and may in fact cause outages..."

Conroy doesn't plan to stop there, however. He also plans to filter:

* MSN chats.
* Email.
* Secure web traffic, including banking transactions.

So, what happens to our UberTechSavvy economy when -

(a) Broadband essentially becomes useless?

(b) Business & banking transactions cannot proceed due to frequent system outages?

Not only that, but an awful lot of people have been and will be ditching their landlines in favour of net-based phone and video chat communications. Hmmm. I think I'll stick with the land line now!!

 

[Calliope]

It would be naive to believe that internet censorship is aimed only at pr0n or paedophilia. Already the Pure Thoughts Police are very active (even on ASF) sniffing out the heretics who fail the political correctness test and persist in calling a spade a spade.

 

[Stormin_Norman]

i plan to use ANTHRAX and DIRTY ATOMIC BOMBS in a TERRORIST ATTACK on PARLIAMENT. my JIHAD will be funded by distributing CHILD PORNOGRAPHY to WHITE SUPREMACISTS.

 

[Buddy]

i plan to use ANTHRAX and DIRTY ATOMIC BOMBS in a TERRORIST ATTACK on PARLIAMENT. my JIHAD will be funded by distributing CHILD PORNOGRAPHY to WHITE SUPREMACISTS.

Onya stormin. You tellem.
Sodium Nitrate, yellowcake, dirty bombs, jihad, rape, murder, pillage.........
boooooooooooom.

 

[Julia]

I really doubt that the government are so lacking in political savvy that they would go ahead with this if it indeed does slow the net down by 80%.

Wouldn't the results of the filtering trials have to be clearly documented and the legislation passed by the Senate? Or can the government just institute such a filter without legislating for it?

The Greens won't co-operate on this, I doubt Nick Xenophon will, and I surely don't think the Libs will be up for it, so that pretty much leaves the good Senator Fielding. Would be pretty funny, if you think about it.

I don't doubt it's far more about appeasing Fielding than any genuine concern for or belief in filtering the web.

 

[Calliope]

The Greens won't co-operate on this, I doubt Nick Xenophon will, and I surely don't think the Libs will be up for it, so that pretty much leaves the good Senator Fielding. Would be pretty funny, if you think about it.

It's a question of what these people consider "inappropriate" material. Xenophon wants gambling sites included. Fielding wants pr0n included. Others, including many Liberals (I suspect) want euthanasia sites included. All Conroy and the govt. want to do is censor the net and they are happy to cater to the pet hates of the bigots to achieve this.

 

[mayk]

It's a question of what these people consider "inappropriate" material. Xenophon wants gambling sites included. Fielding wants pr0n included. Others, including many Liberals (I suspect) want euthanasia sites included. All Conroy and the govt. want to do is censor the net and they are happy to cater to the pet hates of the bigots to achieve this.

This censor policy will be adopted universally soon. The media companies ( TV, print media, etc.) are losing big time and they want to tame the Internet. They want to control the Internet, so that they can generate better revenues. They want tools in place and child pornography is the excuse that would sway the public opinion. It has already happened in NZ, it is happening in Europe and lastly it would happen in USA.

The technology is not fit to do that right now. This test will show that. But in the mean time, latest technology is being developed to achieve that purpose, and within a few years it will be available.

Simple website blocking as adopted by China and many other countries is simple, but keeping an eye on individual session is a huge task. The results from a technological stand point will indeed be interesting.

I doubt a solution based on current technology can see the encrypted sessions as pointed out by sinner's article. It is simply put impossible, unless a dedicated supercomputer is used for each session, which is highly unlikely.

 

[Calliope]

This censor policy will be adopted universally soon. The media companies ( TV, print media, etc.) are losing big time and they want to tame the Internet. They want to control the Internet, so that they can generate better revenues. They want tools in place and child pornography is the excuse that would sway the public opinion. It has already happened in NZ, it is happening in Europe and lastly it would happen in USA.

The technology is not fit to do that right now. This test will show that. But in the mean time, latest technology is being developed to achieve that purpose, and within a few years it will be available.

Simple website blocking as adopted by China and many other countries is simple, but keeping an eye on individual session is a huge task. The results from a technological stand point will indeed be interesting.

I doubt a solution based on current technology can see the encrypted sessions as pointed out by sinner's article. It is simply put impossible, unless a dedicated supercomputer is used for each session, which is highly unlikely.

It will be interesting to see how the news media reacts to internet censorship. Thomas Jefferson once said

Our liberty depends on the freedom of the Press and that cannot be limited without being lost.

Our liberty now depends on the freedom of the internet.

 

[Nyden]

It will be interesting to see how the news media reacts to internet censorship. Thomas Jefferson once said

Our liberty now depends on the freedom of the internet.

Internet articles against the filtering will be included in the black list, so none of us will be able to read it anyway : I jest.

 

[Aussiejeff]

Internet articles against the filtering will be included in the black list, so none of us will be able to read it anyway : [size=+1]I jest.[/size]

Of course you do.

That just couldn't happen in a FREE land like - Oztralia.

Could it?? *shudder*

 

[Aussiejeff]

[size=+2]Police move to ban blogs on accused firebug[/size]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632773480.html

Hmmm. One can only imagine what the Internet will be like once the National Thought Police have gained FULL & TOTALITARIAN control over Internet Censorship.

So, you want to vent your spleen online about some psychopath on the loose? Well, be prepared to be jailed by the NTP for the privilege of breaking their Internet Censorship laws!!

Oh dear. What ramifications will this imminent and severe Internet Censorship have for ASF'ers?

Joe will have to ban any post that is either (a) not sickly sweet or (b) not in total agreement with Government Internet Censorship Policy....

Double

Next, they will want to ban groups of people standing around talking about *stuff*.

 

[Buddy]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632773480.html

Hmmm. One can only imagine what the Internet will be like once the National Thought Police have gained FULL & TOTALITARIAN control over Internet Censorship.

So, you want to vent your spleen online about some psychopath on the loose? Well, be prepared to be jailed by the NTP for the privilege of breaking their Internet Censorship laws!!

Oh dear. What ramifications will this imminent and severe Internet Censorship have for ASF'ers?

Joe will have to ban any post that is either (a) not sickly sweet or (b) not in total agreement with Government Internet Censorship Policy....

Double

Next, they will want to ban groups of people standing around talking about *stuff*.

I agree with those that think "internet filtering" is a move toward totalitarianism, and that Conroy is a twit. However, on the point being raised here, remember that the name supression, etc, is from a court order. The internet is no different to other forms of media in this respect and must obey lawful instructions from the courts (I sound a bit like a lawyer here, dont I? But I'm not ). I note that some of the entries in facebook (not that I view the thing) are really pressing the boundaries. I would suggect that these people need to be a bit careful otherwise they will find Mr Plod's hand upon their shoulder, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, as there are some real total idiots out there in the great unwashed.

 

[Trembling Hand]

I agree with those that think "internet filtering" is a move toward totalitarianism, and that Conroy is a twit. However, on the point being raised here, remember that the name supression, etc, is from a court order.

Only his address is subject to a suppression order not his name.

 

[electronicmaster]

Internet Censorship In Australia

Hi I found this information out. I think it is worth everyone's attention.

Sorry if this seems to be old news to you all.

This is from:-
http://www.youtube.com/user/stellaconcepts


Petition Here:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet/442

Factsheet Here:
http://www.getup.org.au/files/campaigns/internetcensorshipfactsheet.pdf


Dear friends,

Imagine a government proposing an internet censorship system that went further than any other democracy - one that made the internet up to 87% slower, more expensive, accidentally blocked up to one in 12 legitimate sites, and missed the vast majority of inappropriate content.

This is not China, Saudi Arabia or Iran - this is the vision of Senator Stephen Conroy for Australia. Testing has already begun. The community must now move to stop this plan. Click here to save the net:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet

The system that Senator Conroy wants is a mandatory filter of all internet traffic, with the government of the day able to add any unwanted site to a secret blacklist. Already, the wrangling has begun for the inclusion of material relating to anorexia, euthanasia and gambling. It isn't difficult to see the scheme is open to abuse.

Even when it comes to preventing child p-rnography, the filter will not prevent peer-to-peer sharing and is very simple to sidestep. The protection of our children is vitally important - that's why we can't afford to waste funds on this deeply flawed system. We should be concentrating on solutions that are more effective and won't undermine our digital economy or our democratic freedoms.

This must rank as one of the most ill-thought decisions of the Rudd Government's first year in power. We need to act now to tell big brother the mandatory internet filter is incompatible with the principles of a modern democracy and modern economy:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet

Our government should be doing all in its power to take Australia into the 21st century economy, and to protect our children. This proposed internet censorship does neither. Take action to save the net today.

Thanks for being a part of the solution,
The GetUp team

PS - The proposed scheme will pass all internet traffic through a government filter - it's like asking Australia Post to filter every letter sent in Australia. Click here to save the net.

 

[MrBurns]

Australia Internet Filter

Flow chart -

 

[stockGURU]

When will this madness end?

The iron fist of federal Labor's totalitarian grip reaches across the world.

You can keep on trying to censor the internet Senator Conroy but you will not just be going to war with your fellow Australians but believers in liberty across the globe.

You will never win.

Police raid Wikileaks.de domain owner Theodor Reppe's home over 'censorship lists'

* Police crack down on whistleblowing website
* Domain owner's homes raided for evidence
* Raided after Australian blacklists leaked
* Conroy: Leak 'resembles ACMA's list'

POLICE have raided a Wikileaks associate's homes in Dresden and Jena after the website published a list of banned websites.

Theodor Reppe owns the German domain registration for "wikileaks.de", one of the many URLs used by the whistleblowing website.

This morning, Wikileaks published a Twitter update:

"Police raid home of Wikileaks.de domain owner over censorship lists - stay tuned."

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,25240192-5014239,00.html