While the government of Australia may have the best intentions, their wanting to test a web filter to block banned content is flawed in a number of ways. (nytimes.com has a good article on it).
First, it is unlikely to achieve the effect it wants to achieve. Anyone intent on getting around the filter will be able to using P2P networks, as Mike While, the COO of one Australia's largest ISPs point out.
Second, the government plans to keep the list secret. How will that work if someone wants to legally challenge being on the filter list? And who will keep the government in check in situations where some overzealous censor starts adding sites that are legal?
With the number of countries increasing censorship on the Web, it is only a matter of time before individuals come up with ways to bypass the censorship.
First, it is unlikely to achieve the effect it wants to achieve. Anyone intent on getting around the filter will be able to using P2P networks, as Mike While, the COO of one Australia's largest ISPs point out.
Second, the government plans to keep the list secret. How will that work if someone wants to legally challenge being on the filter list? And who will keep the government in check in situations where some overzealous censor starts adding sites that are legal?
With the number of countries increasing censorship on the Web, it is only a matter of time before individuals come up with ways to bypass the censorship.
No comments:
Post a Comment