Australia to Introduce Compulsory Internet Filter

Australia has announced plans to introduce a compulsory Internet filtering system in order to block obscene and prohibited content. Under these plans, internet service providers will be legally required to install filters to block offensive content from overseas.

The government announced yesterday that legislation for the filtering system would be introduced next year, while the system itself is not expected to be in place before early 2011.
The plans have drawn widespread criticism, as well as comparisons to the internet censorship carried out by China and Iran.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Communications Minister Stephen Conroy dismissed the claims of censorship and defended the plans:

“The claims that the Australian government plans to implement a censorship regime similar to China or Iran are baseless,”

“The government is only interested in blocking the absolute worst content such as child sexual abuse material, bestiality, sexual violence including rape and detailed instruction in crime and drug use.”

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