The Governments Internet Filter

So I'm pretty angry at the Government's proposed plan to filter our internet. It just seems like a bullshit idea where the cons far outweigh the pros- and it's almost like it was lifted from a shitty 1990s sci-fi action starring Sanda Bullock.

Already Australia is reasonably far behind almost every other 1st world country in terms of the speed and remote access (versus price) of our internet connections. Yet overall we're 15th in terms of population penetration (so surely we must be quite interested in our internet being up there). Under the aformentinoed plan, our internet speeds will decrease by up to a further 30% as every website we access must first be transferred through a government filter, checking for illegal content (namely, kiddy porn).

How can our local businesses afford to pay these higher prices while struggling to maintain customers with lower bandwith then overseas websites?

Here's an article from March 2007 about the 'upcoming' $8 Billion Broadband Rollout Plan that was one of Rudds political promises. The funds for this were meant to be taken from the 'Future Fund', which is funded by tax payers and namely made for Super Annuation payouts.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/rudds-broadband-plan-doomed-to-commercial-failure/2007/03/22/1174153254813.html

"The project will connect 98 per cent of Australians to broadband services with a speed more than 40 times faster than most current speeds."

I'm not sure if this plan has just been delayed or scrapped all together but we're now talking a 30% decrease in speeds thanks to the government, not a 40x increase. I'm not anti-labour but it is starting to sound like a political promise to get into power. Thanks Ruddy!

The filter is planned to be set up using the secure protocol https. The way this is going to work is that there is virtually going to be a scan inbetween every webpage you view or enter details on. Think about every time you access your net banking, or buy concert tickets online using your credit card details. Who is going to be scanning that? Nein!

Additionally, the plan is going to be installed with the government knowing full well that the vast majority of illegal content that is distribuited over the internet being over a peer-to-peer service (ie. torrent downloads), which this filter cannot view/stop.

I've rushed through the second half of this as I'm now late for work :P I don't normally get riled up over political bullshit but this does make me pretty unhappy. Consider this a vent, if you will..