Ever wondered what it might look like if access to Somebody Think Of The Children was blocked by mandatory ISP filters? Now is your chance to see. EFA has created a new website to give Aussie net users a taste of good ol’ fashioned Internet censorship. Click here to take a look… or not?
You’re able to use Siteblocker.org to block any other website and email the link to your friends. Here’s Whirlpool.net.au blocked.
10 comments
Stuart Anderson says:
Mar 2, 2009
I love the head in the sand/blindfolded coat of arms that comes up on the email pop-up. I think that communicates the concept more effectively than many of the written objections out there.
Daniel says:
Mar 2, 2009
Really great idea! But the “check out this cool site!” subject line and strange URL in the body means if I pass a simulation on to my friends it will probably just end up in their junk email box.
Mike says:
Mar 2, 2009
Thanks guys. Feedback passed to EFA.
websinthe says:
Mar 2, 2009
It’s good to see this finally hit the light of day. Perhaps it’s the first time the mainstream will catch wind of what’s actually going on.
Does anyone have Burnthenet McPanickin’s email addy?
Geordie Guy says:
Mar 2, 2009
@Daniel, sure, if your friends are savvy enough you may need to c+p the url into another email. Your call.
There’s been a bit of criticism, particularly that script blocking stuff stops it working etc. (which is actually amusing and ironic that a free plugin stops the censorship) and of course some people saying that their friends aren’t that gullible. To those who have extra smart friends, use your imagination. Put a “blocked” url in your messenger status message, tweet something, facebook it, dig it. It’s all a bit of fun
Bob Bain says:
Mar 2, 2009
Hmmm…..
Nice simulation however consider the government may not like it !
I suggest you wait for a knock on the door from a man (sorry “person”) from the government who (it is said) may be “here to help you”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Australia
“Use of the coat of arms without permission may be in breach of Sections 53 (c) (d) and (e) of the Trade Practices Act 1974, Section 145.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 or Section 39(2) of the Trade Marks Act 1995.[7] The import of goods bearing the arms is also illegal according Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations.”
I’m not sure if they’d go after the EFA or Somebody Think of the Children though…
“It’s only a replica.” Sounds like an excellent defence to me
Of course if lots of people use it they’ll be lots of people possibly liable under the Criminal Code (assuming Wikipedia is correct that is).
Bob
Bob Bain says:
Mar 2, 2009
Re Previous entry regarding the use of the Australian Coat of Arms..
Section 145.1 Criminal Code Act 1995
145.1 Using forged document
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person knows that a document is a false document and uses it with the intention of:
i) dishonestly inducing another person in the other person’s capacity as a public official to accept it as genuine; and
(ii) if it is so accepted, dishonestly obtaining a gain, dishonestly causing a loss, or dishonestly influencing the exercise of a public duty or function; and
b) the capacity is a capacity as a Commonwealth public official.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
======================
Bob
Glenn says:
Mar 2, 2009
That message is cool. I like the way that EFA programmed it, displaying the blocked web page for a second then transitioning it to show the Access Denied message. I also enjoyed watching the kangaroo turning its back and putting a blindfold over its eyes, with which the emu responded by burying its head in the sand.
A little bit off-topic here, but the only reason that the kangaroo and emu were chosen in the CoA is because neither of these animals can walk backwards, which corresponds to the title of our national anthem “Advance Australia Fair”.
“Advance Australia Fair”? Where’s our high-speed broadband? Why is the government planning a Chinese-type Internet? It seems that Australia is going backwards every day.
Geordie Guy says:
Mar 2, 2009
@ Bob Bain
Hey mate, the coat of arms provisions in the CCA relate primarily to counterfeiting official seals. There’s no problem using it in a parody work, particularly given how unlikely someone is to actually mistake the block page for a government site.
@ Glenn
I’ll pass your thoughts on to the advertising agency who we worked with on this, they are one of the world’s largest and most prestigious but I’d doubt they’ve got bored of praise.
Bob Bain says:
Mar 2, 2009
@ Geordie
Hi Mate. I know that using certain symbols can be legally challenging and I’ve known for years that the use of Australia’s Coat of Arms is one of them. This doesn’t mean I don’t like or appreciate the parody as I do. It get’s the point across nicely and indeed I’ve used the United Arab Emirates “page blocked” symbol on my LiveJournal as others have done elsewhere.
The Shape of Things to Come ?
http://bobbain.livejournal.com/295790.html
Like the EFA parody the UAE have a feedback form where a blocked user can suggest a blocked site shouldn’t be blocked – although how they can do this without having gained some idea of what’s on the site (it’s blocked after all) is a bit beyond my comprehension.
There are no government symbols of any kind on the UAE blocking page – just a “c’est inderdit” type sign. I’ve seen these in Algeria and been with Aussies who have simply ignored them.
There are multiple sections to the Criminal Code Act 1995.
I believe recent revisions to the Copyright Act made allowance for parody and I’ve seen this being used by TV stations.
Being a person who has had to deal with quite a few legalities in courts of law I tend to be somewhat cautious especially if politics is involved.
It’s a nice parody. I like it
I hope a man (sorry “person”) from the government doesn’t turn up on your doorstep and offer assistance. They aren’t always there to help you.
Anyway the way I see it we “are” the government are we not ? The symbols are our symbols to be used as we the people see fit !
You’re probably safe (probably safe). If however it were a Disney cartoon character such as Micky Mouse I’d suggest running for cover.
Bob