Australia Plans Great Barrier Internet
November 1st, 2008Posted by: admin
Apparently convinced that China’s internet policies are worth duplicating, reports out of Australia indicate the Australian government is planning a mandatory Internet filter for all citizens, with an additional, optional filter that would provide a ‘clean feed’ for those wishing to avoid adult material. The rationale appears to be preventing illegal material from entering the country.
While as a general rule most technologies developed to prevent something from happening are eventually circumvented, government imposed internet restrictions do persist. The most notable example is the “Great Firewall of China”, which – as described in this James Fallows piece from The Atlantic – defies easy explanation. It’s a bad idea for a number of reasons, and the implementation of this filter will be an interesting policy fight to watch.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:41 pm
It’s a bad idea for a number of reasons
I think you earn an award for understatement, David.
Thanks for posting this.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
[...] HT2 David Bruggerman [...]