Internet censorship plan gets the green light

[Axeli]

This is what happens every time a law like this is passed on the basis that it will be used against child pornography. Well, that's fine and all, but you never stop there, do you?

I don't remember which European country had a law similar to this (not a complete block though... I'd guess it was giving IPS right to block sites) under the justification that it'd be against child pornography. Quickly went way, way further than that.


Don't worry though. A hacker legion will quickly rise to work a way around a block like this.
The reason why I like internet. Maybe it against law or not, right or wrong, someone out there will always find a way to break through any attempts to limit its freedom. I might not like every cause that benefits from that, but you have to admire the spirit.

 

[gillebro]

I've just found out about this, and like all Aussies that give a damn, I'm really annoyed.
Apparently the no 18+ rating issue is being called into public vote at last: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/australia-asks-public-for-r18-input
they're saying that they're going to put it to public vote, through a questionnaire, then the attorney generals are going to try to come to an agreement over it. While, yes, it's obviously great that for once the public are getting some say in it, the pessimist in me thinks that it's all for naught, because the move still needs to go through state and federal attorney generals and Michael Douche-fag-son is going to be sitting there all over-my-old-wrinkly-dead-body-y, and if they need a unanimous vote on the issue, that automatically rules it out. so, a step in the right direction, but one that probably won't make a difference.
Other Aussies? What say you?

 

[gillebro]

I don't get it. How did a colony of convicts become so puritan, when a colony of Puritans became known for their excess and decadence [America]?

I've been wondering about that myself.

it's interesting, isn't it? considering how because of the whole convict ancestry we're well-known for liking freedom and disliking authority figures that don't deserve to be authority figures in our eyes. We're just about the worst country for having this sort of bull happen to us.

 

[gillebro]

You know, the sad thing is that this is a country that legalised prostitution yet won't abide a little bit of gore in video games.

probably because they use the prostitutes.

...it had to be said.

 

[Captain Schpack]

Congrats, you're now officially the sunny version of China!

Minus the communism.

'

That and thoughts of comparing Australia to North Korea were the first things to cross my mind. Then I thought . . . .

MOVE OVER MICHEAL ATKINSON. THERE'S A NEW HATE FIGURE FOR YATZHEE NOW !!

 

[SultanP]

I'm really starting to worry. With so many countries going the way of the nanny state, it might only be a question of time before the rest of the world follows suit. Hopefully we can dispose of all the old politicians before it gets that far.

 

[RagnorakTres]

Oh, for the love of the Greater Good...

OY! AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT! QUIT GIVING MINE IDEAS! I like my hentai where it is, thanks.

 

[Valkatron]

Step 1. Download the entire internet onto your hard drive.

If not possible, proceed to step 2.

Step 2. Download ten years' worth of porn and violent videos/shows/movies before it's too late.

Step 2, on it right now!

 

[Phoenix Arrow]

Can forgeiners stand for office down there? I'll sort them out. Radicalise government, shift power around. It'll be awesome.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Can I just say that there is no evidence for a link between GM foods and Cancer?

That is what Monsanto wants you to believe and no I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I read up a lot about them.

The one test allowed on GM food (GM potatoes) showed a marked increase of incidence of cancer in the rats they were tested on and when the scientist who found this out published his findings, he was fired and discredited almost immediately and Monsanto never had any of GM food tested like that ever again.

More than a little suspicious.

Even if you don't think the GM food harms people, I think the corparation trying to patent DNA will harm us.

 

[Terramax]

It's official. The Australian government puts Christians in the same category as Satanics...

Seriously, Australia has been known as a country many in the rest of the free world admire and respect, but I can see this changing rapidly.

I cant believe this... coming from a country that originated from a christian background... political correctness strikes again....

Huh? Did you know I was joking?

 

[aDuck]

It's official. The Australian government puts Christians in the same category as Satanics...

Seriously, Australia has been known as a country many in the rest of the free world admire and respect, but I can see this changing rapidly.

I cant believe this... coming from a country that originated from a christian background... political correctness strikes again....

Huh? Did you know I was joking?

well, acording to the article:

"About half of the sites on the list were not related to child porn and included a slew of online poker sites, YouTube links, regular gay and straight porn sites, Wikipedia entries, euthanasia sites, websites of fringe religions such as satanic sites, fetish sites, Christian sites, the website of a tour operator and even a Queensland dentist."

didnt say that about the satanic bit, but blocking a christian site (unless its one actually taking the piss of christians) sounds a little unjustified, along with the others.

as said before, political correctness strikes again.

 

[Valkatron]

There is also an unverified comment from an MP about anorexia being a suitable target for the filter, now if this is true that will do a lot more harm than good.

 

[Snotnarok]

Apparently they think that Australia is filled with a bunch of 14 year olds who need parenting, in comes the government the parents to save their kids from terrorism (porn) and propaganda (seeing that other countries have M games and such)

 

[Flack]

I've just found out about this, and like all Aussies that give a damn, I'm really annoyed.
Apparently the no 18+ rating issue is being called into public vote at last: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/australia-asks-public-for-r18-input
they're saying that they're going to put it to public vote, through a questionnaire, then the attorney generals are going to try to come to an agreement over it. While, yes, it's obviously great that for once the public are getting some say in it, the pessimist in me thinks that it's all for naught, because the move still needs to go through state and federal attorney generals and Michael Douche-fag-son is going to be sitting there all over-my-old-wrinkly-dead-body-y, and if they need a unanimous vote on the issue, that automatically rules it out. so, a step in the right direction, but one that probably won't make a difference.
Other Aussies? What say you?

Its not very democratic if ONE person can decide what games australians can and cant legally play.

 

[Downfall89]

I searched for this came up trumps so hopefully it's all good.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-censorship-plan-gets-the-green-light-20091215-ktzc.html

As the title says, our oh so smart government in Australia is now going to start filtering websites from our searches. Couple this with our no R18+ policy for games (which all here know about, though they just started taking peoples views on this) sometimes i really, really hate this country and the old fogeys running the show.
Sorry if this doesn't make to much sense, i don't do very well with explaining things sometimes. So read the article, post your views or don't. Just thought people should know.

Edit 1: If you are so inclined, go to the following website and fill it out, it may not do much as they have already decided that the filter is going ahead, but it can't hurt:
http://getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet/442?gclid=CLatheXx154CFckvpAodqyCErQ

Edit 2: More info on the clean feed, http://nocleanfeed.com/

Edit 3: Expert saying something. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-censorship-move-a-smokescreen-expert-20091216-kw7d.html

Why do they always insist on ruining this country? Seriously, this is one of the greatest countries in the world, IF (big IF) you are not a gamer, or care about the internet, porn wise and BEING ABLE TO FUCKING DO ANYTHING BESIDES CHECK YOUR GOD DAMNED EMAILS. FUCK THIS.

 

[ShawnRiles]

Move to Canada, we have...Err. Polar Bears. Yeah, polar bears.