Net Filtering
The popularity and expansion of the internet across the globe has been the freedom one enjoys when connecting with others. It has allowed the voices of even the smallest person to be heard and allowed people to access whatever information they want, when they want.
Recently there has been a lot of talk about net filtering or, filtering the internet to exclude some sites from being available to Australians. As you can imagine it has brought on plenty of debate both from those agreeing with the measure and those condemning it. The aim of introducing the net filter is to stop children from looking at websites that aren’t appropriate for them.
Telstra and several other ISPs have already declared they will not impose the net filtering on their customers, and rightfully so I think. As I mentioned earlier the whole aim of the internet is to connect people to people, and people to information with byast. If this net filtering is introduced to the whole of Australia it sets a scary precedent for further filtering and eventually the Australian government will be picking and choosing what they want people to see.
This net filtering and the need for control by the Australian government does not come as a surprise. The government likes to have control of everything they can and the internet has been free reigns for all for a long time now.
Net filtering is unnecessary at the ISP level. I think parents are responsible enough to moderate what their children do and have access to when using the internet. They can install software that will block access to unsavoury websites and log which websites their children are frequenting.
I don’t think the net filtering will ever be implemented. It’s a nonsense piece of legislation to begin with and only has the backing of a few prudes in parliament. Not only will they see a backlash from ISPs fearing the loss of customers, but they will see a backlash from the people for encroaching on their right to choose what they see and don’t see on the internet. It would be like someone coming into your lounge room and changing the channel on the television because they didn’t think your favourite television program was appropriate for you.
Already trials that have been conducted have resulted in poor results. Speed has been a lot slower due to the complex filter.
Tags: Internet, net filtering
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