Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×
User Journal

Journal Wild Wizard's Journal: ACMA web blacklist "smackdown" 1

Here in Australia we have a rather stupid Government organisation called the ACMA.

A somewhat unknown detail about the ACMA is they maintain a list of websites that have "objectionable" content on them. While that may seem innocent enough given there is currently no method to use the list as a form of compulsory censorship, it is considered an offence to publish details about the list itself.

This link is on that list :-
http://www.abortiontv.com/Pics/AbortionPictures6.htm

Posts of that link on a site hosted within Australia is considered an offence and the ACMA is already moving against anyone that may post the link.

Australian IT reports :-
IN an unprecedented move, Australia's communications regulator has threatened to fine a company up to $11,000 a day for indirectly leaking part of its top-secret list of banned internet web pages.

This all came about when an Australian decided to test out how the system works and below is the email he received from the ACMA notifying him that the site had been added. He then posted this email to Whirlpool a large Internet and Information Technology forum in Australia.

Subject: Complaint Reference: 2009000009/ ACMA-691604278
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:45:00 +1100
From: online@acma.gov.au

Complaint Reference: 2009000009/ ACMA-691604278

I refer to the complaint that you lodged with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on 5th January 2009 about certain content made available at:

http://www.abortiontv.com/Pics/AbortionPictures6.htm

Following investigation of your complaint, ACMA is satisfied that the internet content is hosted outside Australia, and that the content is prohibited or potential prohibited content.

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has a code of practice (http://www.iia.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=415&Itemid=33) for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which, among other things, set out arrangements for dealing with such content. In accordance with the code, ACMA has notified the above content to the makers of IIA approved filters, for their attention and appropriate action. The code requires ISPs to make available to customers an IIA approved filter.

Information about ACMA's role in regulating online content (including internet and mobile content), including what is prohibited or potentially prohibited content is available at ACMA's website at www.acma.gov.au/hotline

Thank you for bringing this matter to ACMA's attention.

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

ACMA web blacklist "smackdown"

Comments Filter:

UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things. -- Doug Gwyn

Working...