The Australian Government is continuing with plans to impose a mandatory Internet filtering system that would block over 10,000 websites including popular online poker sites such as FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com.
The proposals include the creation by the Australian Communications And Media Authority (ACMA) of a blacklist of sites purveying unspecified ‘unwanted content’ due to be blocked.
A rough draft of this blacklist was recently leaked to the media and included 1,300 websites that are already blocked by the ACMA because they feature child pornography, rape, incest and bestiality materials. However, the list also contained mistakes such as a site for a Brisbane-based dentist alongside that for a Queensland kennel operator.
Stephen Conroy, Communications Minister for new Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd, was recently forced to admit that the proposed blacklist contained mistakes. His admission came as part of a television appearance after more than 2,000 viewers sent in questions regarding the censorship plans.
The Internet Gambling Act of 2001 already makes it unlawful for Internet service providers to supply gambling services to customers in Australia but the industry has thrived despite this prohibition. Online poker in the nation would be dealt a considerable blow if the Rudd Government has its way with numerous Internet advocay groups vowing to fight the implementation of any such filtering system.
“At a time when the Government is cutting services to fight inflation, it’s bewildering that they would decide to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on a filter before feasibility trials are even complete,’ said Colin Jacobs, spokesperson for online advocacy group Electronic Frontiers Australia.
‘Given the manifest impracticality of the clean feed scheme, I’m sure this money could have been put to much better use.’
Abstract from www.igamingbusiness.com
