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Coalition to introduce opt-out internet filters to block adult content | Coalition to introduce opt-out internet filters to block adult content |
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Internet filters will be installed across Australia if the Coalition wins government, the opposition has announced in a policy released at the 11th hour of the election campaign. | Internet filters will be installed across Australia if the Coalition wins government, the opposition has announced in a policy released at the 11th hour of the election campaign. |
Internet service providers would apply the filters to all home Wi-Fi and under-18s’ smartphones, with people having to opt out if they did not want them. | Internet service providers would apply the filters to all home Wi-Fi and under-18s’ smartphones, with people having to opt out if they did not want them. |
The Coalition said “adult content” would be filtered out, though it did not define such content. The policy document referenced the UK filter – in the process of being introduced – which is focused on blocking porn websites as well as illegal images. | The Coalition said “adult content” would be filtered out, though it did not define such content. The policy document referenced the UK filter – in the process of being introduced – which is focused on blocking porn websites as well as illegal images. |
“The Coalition believes that keeping children safe online is ultimately the responsibility of parents and others charged with the welfare of children – but they need better support from government and industry,” the policy says. | “The Coalition believes that keeping children safe online is ultimately the responsibility of parents and others charged with the welfare of children – but they need better support from government and industry,” the policy says. |
The party plans to work with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and their resellers to develop the online safety standards. A default adult content filter would be installed in smartphones. It could be switched off when the buyer proves they are older than 18. | The party plans to work with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and their resellers to develop the online safety standards. A default adult content filter would be installed in smartphones. It could be switched off when the buyer proves they are older than 18. |
There would be filters for two different age groups: children up to 12 years old and teenagers. | There would be filters for two different age groups: children up to 12 years old and teenagers. |
For home Wi-Fi, the Coalition said an internet filter would be the default setting and people would have to ask for it to be turned off . | For home Wi-Fi, the Coalition said an internet filter would be the default setting and people would have to ask for it to be turned off . |
The Coalition’s costings did not provide a breakdown for its internet policy but the section “The Coalition's Policy to Enhance Online Safety for Children”, which includes the filter, was listed as costing $10m. | The Coalition’s costings did not provide a breakdown for its internet policy but the section “The Coalition's Policy to Enhance Online Safety for Children”, which includes the filter, was listed as costing $10m. |
“This is a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter proposal championed by the Rudd-Gillard government, which was abandoned as unworkable,” the policy says. | “This is a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter proposal championed by the Rudd-Gillard government, which was abandoned as unworkable,” the policy says. |
“The Coalition’s approach aims to empower parents – by giving them the choice of whether or not to operate a filter at home, but by establishing the default setting as one which provides maximum protection.” | “The Coalition’s approach aims to empower parents – by giving them the choice of whether or not to operate a filter at home, but by establishing the default setting as one which provides maximum protection.” |
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has criticised the British government’s internet filter as “ridiculous”. Wales said the money would be better spent on policing internet crime. | The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has criticised the British government’s internet filter as “ridiculous”. Wales said the money would be better spent on policing internet crime. |
It is not known if the major telecommunications companies have agreed to co-operate with the Coalition on the policy. | It is not known if the major telecommunications companies have agreed to co-operate with the Coalition on the policy. |
Labor attempted to introduce a mandatory internet filter but abandoned the plans last year. While the Coalition initially supported the policy it dumped it in the lead-up to the 2010 election and instead encouraged parents to monitor their children’s internet usage. | Labor attempted to introduce a mandatory internet filter but abandoned the plans last year. While the Coalition initially supported the policy it dumped it in the lead-up to the 2010 election and instead encouraged parents to monitor their children’s internet usage. |
The Greens senator Scott Ludlam condemned the policy and the manner in which it was revealed. Ludlam said: “Tony Abbott has actually proposed that anyone who wants to access uncensored online content will have to put themselves on a watch list by opting out of the filter. | |
"This idea is co-mingled with a large volume of unpopular policy garbage that the presumptive prime minister is offloading in the 40-odd hours before the election. It is indicative of the kind of government we can expect to be subjected to on September 8. | |
“The Greens worked with the online community to defeat the Rudd filter – now Abbott has given us a taste of the contempt with which he intends to treat the entire adult population of Australia." | |
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