Aus Feds given more power over the Australian web

Hey all,

I thought I might post this link, I havent seen it posted yet so I thought I might. Its about the Australian Federal Police been given the power to ban web sites from viewing in Australia if they relate to "crime" or "terrorism".

The bombshell web ban bill was tabled in the Senate at 9:58am, without prior notice.

Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan proposes to expand the "black list" of internet addresses (URLs) currently maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to include terrorism and cyber-crime sites.

www.australianit.news.com.au...

Personaly I dont like this, but there are always ways to get around the system (proxy/portal sites etc...). Your thoughts are all welcome. nods.

-fm

If Australia protects freedom of speech like America does, this law is blatantly illegal.

Originally posted by uberarcanist
If Australia protects freedom of speech like America does, this law is blatantly illegal.

thanks for replying nods, this law is rubish.

-fm

Ironic that they can filter "terrorism" websites and not child porn ones.



We dont have freedom of speech like they do in the states. Infact my views on what "terrorism" is falls inline with our anti terror laws and i would be considered a terrorist. Im safe for now being 5th generation anglo Australian with no religious ties.


I may not be safe when terrorism is as passe as communism and those laws are still in place. By then they will just turn into anti government laws.

Originally posted by KTK
Ironic that they can filter "terrorism" websites and not child porn ones.

I know eh, that is so screwy. Child porn is so filthy.

Originally posted by KTK
We dont have freedom of speech like they do in the states. Infact my views on what "terrorism" is falls inline with our anti terror laws and i would be considered a terrorist. Im safe for now being 5th generation anglo Australian with no religious ties.

Just as bad... Australia is such a screwed up country atm.

-fm

I currently live in Thailand which is really into internet censorship. You may be aware of the recent fuss cuased by the banning of Youtube in Thailand because someone posted something disrespectful to the King of Thailand but there is much worse than that.

The 'Ministry of Communications and Information Technology' have a 'black-list' of websites that they block from ISPs within Thailand and this has a huge number of porn sites on it - don't ask me how I know

It also blocks sites that the government considers are 'subversive' and given that it is currently ruled by a military junta imposed by a coup last October that is quite a few. The previous Thai administration was mired in corruption before they were overthrown but the replacement junta has not covered themselves in glory by supressing free speach in this way. These black-lists are secret and you will never know what is not available until you can't get access to it. How many steps away from a repressive military junta are the Australian Government?

It is less about the ability to get around it but more the fact that governments think that reading about stuff like 'terrorism' is the same as being a terrorist.