Conroy invokes Russian mob, human error and Moore's Law to support net filter

Stan Beer
Monday, 30 March 2009 02:36

Opinion and Analysis

You see, the abject failure of Internet filters in the past - a between 3% and 87% slowdown that Senator Conroy freely admits - may well be solved by Moore's Law he believes.

The last trial was two years ago and computing power doubles every two years according to Moore's Law so it's worth trying a filter out again with newer technology. Presumably the results will be better this time.

Senator Conroy also pointed out that Optus and "the fourth largest ISP" (presumably he means Primus?) are taking part in the trial, neglecting to mention that both have gone on record slamming the idea. He also neglected to mention that Telstra is not taking part and brushed aside the point that iiNet has pulled out.

Finally, the Senator went to great pains - he made the point many times - that the filter is not intended to be used for political purposes. I guess he means that there is no question that there will be political censorship of the Internet.

Well, I guess that we're all glad to hear that! Why the subject needed to be raised is disturbing however. That's because it tacitly acknowledges that the filter could at some stage be used for just such a purpose by some less well meaning government in the future.

The general feeling among the audience, panelists and by extension most Australians is that the less garbage on the net the better.

However, what many of if not most Internet users object to is the enforced application of imperfect technology to censor their access to information and the lack of transparency of the current censorship process.

From his latest interview, the Senator still seems to be on the backfoot and refuses to acknowledge the angst being felt by the Internet community. Talk about the Russian mob, ACMA human errors and Moore's Law will do little to allay that angst.