All systems go for 'blacklist' filter: Conroy

James Riley
Tuesday, 15 December 2009 09:14

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Rudd Government will introduce mandatory ISP-level filtering of Refused Classification material on the internet based on a blacklist system and will provide funding to encourage service providers to give customers the option of more stringent filtering systems, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has announced.

The government would also introduce new 'transparency' measures around the mechanisms for putting RC material on the blacklist "to ensure the public can have absolute confidence in the process," he said.

It would also expand its cyber-safety outreach program with more money and more people through the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

As part of a broader consultation, Senator Conroy also released the results of the Enex Test Laboratory report into the pilot trial of Internet Service Provider (ISP)-level filtering.

"Through a combination of additional resources for education and awareness, mandatory internet filtering of RC-rated content, and optional ISP-level filtering, we have a package that balances safety for families and the benefits of the digital revolution," Senator Conroy said.

The Government plans introduce legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act to require all ISPs to block RC-rated material hosted on overseas servers.

This material is currently subject to take-down notices by ACMA if it is hosted online in Australia, but ACMA cannot directly regulate content hosted overseas. The measure is in addition to the existing take-down regime for Australia-hosted content.

The RC blacklist will be created through a complaints-based mechanism, Senator Conroy said and government expects to introduce legislation during the Autumn 2010 parliamentary sittings, and outlined a twelve months process of implementation after the passage of the legislation.

"The Government will immediately undertake public consultation with the release today of a discussion paper on additional measures to improve the accountability and transparency of processes that lead to RC-rated material being placed on the RC Content list," Senator Conroy said.

He said the Enex Lab report found that a blacklist could effectively block listed RC material "with 100 per cent accuracy and negligible impact on internet speed."

For families and other consumers that want a broader range of material filtered – including possibly X18+ and gambling sites –Government would establish a grants program to encourage ISPs to offer these services on a commercial and optional basis.

The RC-rated content list cannot deal with the range of material that may be judged by different people, or different parents, as offensive or inappropriate for viewing by children, including X18+ and gambling sites.

Therefore a mechanism to allow consumers the option to access additional ISP level filtering products is required.

These additional filtering services will help parents to choose what they want filtered without having to download and install software to their home computers.