Comments on: ISP blocking – our evaluation report

By: Vikram

Vikram — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:58:58 +0000

I still don’t understand why Telstra are pushing ahead with an initiative that is being so loudly opposed.

Even recently the Opposition has come out – Malcolm Turnbull to be precise – and said the will oppose the Internet Filter.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/14/3011746.htm

I just cannot understand why Telstra would want to implement something that will probably not be allowed to pass through Government and NOT make it opt-in/opt-out (I prefer an opt-in based service).

If you are going to implement a compulsory, “you have no choice in this”, filter I strongly suggest you:

1. Put more information about it on the Telstra website to properly inform customers of what is happening and make it EASY to find; and

2. Allow customers the option of leaving Telstra WITHOUT incurring any fees/charges for, potentially, breaking contract.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:54:52 +0000

Why isn’t the money being spent on filtering given directly to the police to convict the content creators?

Families with children would be better off using a host based content filter which offers much more refined control over what they can view.

By: Chris Hewitt

Chris Hewitt — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:45:41 +0000

My understanding is that this will be a change in the nature of the service provided (unfiltered -> filtered). This will have the effect of making any existing contracts (including for mobile data) null and void.

Sure you have thought this through?

By: Clytie Siddall

Clytie Siddall — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:27:17 +0000

I am thoroughly disgusted with the government over this mandatory Internet censorship. They were not mandated to impose it, and they ignore widespread voter protest, not to mention the facts about what actually works online.

Today, Conroy suddenly announces that they’re delaying the filter again (gee, election coming up?) and that they’re going to have an “independent” consultation on what makes up the RC content they intend to block (most of which is legal to view in Australia). It would be wonderful if this consultation actually addressed our broken classification system, but previous behaviour by this government makes it almost inevitable that it is just an ass-covering move of some kind. It will probably result in either the filter being snuck in after the election (by either party), or the filter being silently dropped without addressing any of our concerns or explaining where all the money went.

Telstra, you have network engineers who know much more than Conroy about this issue (actually, you have desks which know more than Conroy about this issue), so please don’t play his game. Tell him frankly and persistently what will work and what won’t work. You could also remind the ABC and other media that ISPs have always been willing to filter objectionable content, and don’t need a government blackmailing them into common-sense options.

Internode and iiNet have been exemplary in trying to deal with this combination of embedded ignorance and Fieldingesque prejudice in government. Why aren’t you leading the way?

By: Katzamjammer

Katzamjammer — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:41:45 +0000

Im a Telstra customer and I would just like to say, If you go and do this I will be going elseware for my internet connection. People value their freedom and its not yours to give away!

By: Emmy

Emmy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:51:04 +0000

It’s bad enough that the Federal government is trying to infringe our civil rights so enthusiastically without Telstra throwing their weight behind this stupid plan too.

By: AkiraDoe

AkiraDoe — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:00:14 +0000

I have a few questions,

What happens when more than one laptop, like say your entire user base is forced through the proxy (albeit when only when they try to access blacklisted material)?

What happens when these proxy servers reach capacity?

Will your business clients be unable to use external DNS Servers?

Will users be permitted to use OpenDNS and other external DNS Services that help parents protect their children online?

Do you think it is accurate for Senator Conroy to quote your results as applicable for a national scale (more specifically his 1/70th of the blink of an eye comment) given they are only based off lab tests?

Are you worried that your credibility is tied up with Senator Conroy’s with his consistent use of your results?

It would be glorious to have answers to even some of these questions.

The Government have proved to be a source of great “misinformation” surrounding the idea of ISP Filtering and since they’ve been unwilling to answer genuine questions and concerns, or even comment without spin it would be nice to hear some answers from Telstra.

Given the NBN negotiations, I doubt we’ll get answers though. The last thing Telstra wants is for Conroy to put them back in his sights for not fully supporting the filters, much like Google are now, but I’ll still hope for some answers

Thanks for accepting comments!

By: odette

odette — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:14:45 +0000

Im totally against mandatory filtering , Ill fight it with my last breathe , I feel sick to the stomach with the proposed mandatory filter, we are Australian adults who don’t want the government playing nanny , most children will find a way around the mandatory filter , I could go on but I feel sick every time i think of it happening to my beloved once free Australia – what the ‘government deems offensive ‘ scares the life out of me
btw Im a mum /grandmother who believes the filter will be adding harm to children because of a false sense of security they will be had by many parents.

By: Phlli

Phlli — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:41:40 +0000

So why do I need this. I already implement my own filtering using opendns. Why force those that know how to secure their connections for the kids to endure unfair regulation, why not make Internet training manditory before you get an “internet license”. Then you can tax for the license the take it away if we prove to be bad/incompetant Internet uses.

By: capnpants

capnpants — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:04:11 +0000

Force every ISP to have a working filter, then make it tighter, increase the filter to all objectionable content.

But make it optional. The end user can choose between performance/freedom and protection. It is the only socially acceptable choice in a secular free society.

I am an adult, treat me like one or there will be tears.