Australian filtering law to be adjusted after consultation

An Australian law that requires internet access providers to filter and block websites that are on a 'Refused Classification-Content' list (RCC-list) is postponed. In the meantime, the three largest Australian access providers already decided to block the websites of the RCC-list that contain child abuse on a voluntary basis. Together, these providers serve about 70 percent of the Australian market.

This RCC-list contains direct URLs to websites that, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), contain prohibited content. Examples of prohibited content are child abuse (including child pornography), bestiality, extreme violence (including rape) and detailed descriptions of crime or drug use or material that incites terrorist acts.

Reasons for the postponement are the proposals raised during a public consultation on the matter. The mail goal of the public consultation was to provide options to make the RCC-list more transparent and to allow for more accountability. The Australian Minister Stephen Conroy (Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) explained that publication of the RCC-no list (sensible) option:

"The RCC list contains URLs that direct access to materials in which children are abused and can not receive the same published as a list of banned books or films that would be. The public should, however, confident that the URLs on the list, and then the process whereby they have been independent, rigorous, free from interference or influence, and that the content and site owners have access to appropriate evaluation mechanisms."

According to the Minister the package of proposed measures should give the public confidence that only content designed by law will be blocked. These measures include:

• An annual review of the RC Content list by an independent expert who will be appointed in consultation with industry;
• Clear avenues for appeal of classification decisions;
• The provision that all content identified on the basis of a public complaint shall be classified by the Classification Board under the National Classification Scheme; and
• The provision that affected parties have the ability to have decisions reviewed by the Classification Review Board.

Another important measure includes the use of a standardized block page notification which access providers users can express that the content they have requested has been blocked because it is supposed to belong to the 'Refused Content Classification’ and how this could be reviewed. Perhaps the Australians will look to their eastern neighbors for inspiration on its design. The U.S. enforcement agencies recently showed the 'impressive' notification below on seized domains.

The minister has indicated that the proposed measures will be included where appropriate in the legislation that is currently under review.

In the meantime, the three largest Australian access providers have decided to voluntarily block websites with child abuse content featured on the RCC list of the ACMA. Together, these providers serve about 70 percent of the Australian market.

Source: Australian Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy