A lot of people are asking what will be banned under the new mandatory filtering scheme for those who do not opt-out. Exactly what criteria will be used to decide if a site is blacklisted?

I contacted Mr Conroy in November last year with that question. Here is part of his reply:

“Labor recognises that while the internet opens up a wealth of opportunities for all Australians, it can also expose people to harmful content from any part of the world.”

“That is why in March 2006, Labor announced that it would require a clean feed ISP filtering service to all households, schools and public libraries.”

“This will prevent users from accessing sites prohibited by ACMA, including child pornography and sites that contain violent material; and ensure sites that contain harmful or inappropriate content such as pornography and violent material are not accessible by children.”

The ACMA lists on its website what it considers prohibited content on the Internet:

  • Content which is, or would be, classified Refused Classification (RC) by the Classification Board (formerly the Office of Film and Literature Classification), including:

  1. material containing detailed instruction in crime, violence or drug use

  2. child pornography

  3. bestiality

  4. excessively violent or sexually violent material

  5. material that advocates the doing of a terrorist act

  • Content which is (or would be) classified X 18+ by the Classification Board. Such content contains real depictions of actual sexual activity.
  • Content hosted in Australia which is classified R 18+ and not subject to a restricted access system which complies with criteria determined by ACMA.
  • Content classified R 18+ is not considered suitable for minors and includes:

  1. material containing excessive and/or strong violence or sexual violence

  2. material containing implied or simulated sexual activity

  3. material that deals with issues or contains depictions which require an adult perspective

It is with out a doubt point 3 above that raises the most concerns. Health information on drug use, abortion, and sex, can and does fall under this category.

Sarah from AusBDSM and No-Censorship also confirms that this is likely the criteria by which sites will be judged.

What are your thoughts?

– Mike