Internet Filtering: A contradiction

Despite mounting pressure from the Telco / ISP industry, the Federal Government is pushing forward with its intended internet filtering trials.

The Communications Minister Senator Conroy has recently called for ISPs to volunteer for internet filtering trials, that may lead to eventual universal ISP level internet filtering across Australia. The Government claims that the ISP level filtering will alleviate the evils of the internet, including child pornography.

Most people within the industry will agree that the availability of internet filtering is a good thing, but at a local level on individual PCs, not at an ISP level. The previous government had the right idea, to provide free filtering software to protect the community, even if its filtering software was controversial.

Opponents of the filtering plan point out that ISP level filtering will be ineffective, as much of the illegal and harmful content is propogated through peer to peer networks, which will be outside the scope of the proposed filtering.

We see the greatest contradiction in the Government’s position (in this debate) being in its election call for faster internet speeds, yet the proposed filtering is likely to have a negative impact on internet speeds.

The Government should stay true to its word and look at alternatives to ISP level filtering, which is likely to do no more than slow the internet, reducing productivity in hard economic times.