Mandatory Internet Filtering

The Australian Federal Government has proposed that ISPs be required to filter and remove access to websites on a blacklist that will be created by the government. The blacklist will contain material that has been "refused classification" and will be secret. The filter will not affect pornography that has not been "refused classification" or high traffic websites.

The following is taken from the government's website announcing the filter:

Internet Service Provider (ISP) filtering

ISP filtering is a key component of the Australian Government’s cyber-safety plan. Filtering of online material at the ISP level reflects the view that ISPs should take some responsibility for enabling the blocking of such content on the internet.

This is consistent with the recent child online protection guidelines issued by the International Telecommunications Union. The guidelines state that the strategic objective for the internet industry for child internet safety should be to reduce the availability of, and restrict access to, harmful or illegal content and conduct.

ISP-level content filtering is already occurring in other countries, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Government wants to ensure a similar level of protection for internet users in Australia.

ISP-level filtering of Refused Classification material

The Government has recently announced that in 2010 it will introduce legislative amendments to require all ISPs in Australia to use ISP‑level filtering to block overseas hosted Refused Classification (RC) material on the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) RC Content list.

Content defined under the National Classification Scheme as Refused Classification includes child sexual abuse imagery, bestiality, sexual violence, detailed instruction in crime, violence or drug use and/or material that advocates the doing of a terrorist act.

The RC Content list will be based on public complaints to the ACMA and assessed using existing criteria set out in the National Classification Scheme. The ACMA will also liaise with highly reputable overseas organisations to identify lists of child abuse material suitable for incorporation into the RC Content list.

In addition, the Government will immediately undertake public consultation, based on the consultation paper currently available, on additional measures to improve the accountability and transparency of processes that lead to placement of material on the RC Content list. To the extent practicable, these measures will also apply to child abuse material added to the list through co-operation with overseas agencies. These URLs of known child abuse material will only be added after an assessment of the robustness of the processes used by such international agencies.

The Government will allocate funds to the ACMA to enhance the security of the RC Content list and to automate its transmission to ISPs.

The ACMA and the Department will shortly consult with retail and wholesale ISPs on the implementation of ISP-level filtering, including the development of an industry Code of Practice.