Path: csiph.com!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!individual.net!not-for-mail From: "Rod Speed" Newsgroups: aus.computers,aus.legal Subject: Re: "ISPs in AU and NZ start censoring the internet without legal precedent" Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:04:49 +1100 Lines: 93 Message-ID: References: <9o4j9edcnd8llckvla8rb75um0kn9gj9rm@j.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; reply-type=response Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Trace: individual.net awKoQvh+oRRilMVAuIPPRAsDXpQHH5/ardzW+3bLxNuugFEow= Cancel-Lock: sha1:WZCrvUoRR8AJtgyjcHhVLh3XhKw= In-Reply-To: X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Importance: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Windows Live Mail 14.0.8117.416 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V14.0.8117.416 Xref: csiph.com aus.computers:65126 aus.legal:85508 "Max" wrote in message news:q7cu67$18sj$1@gioia.aioe.org... > On 26/03/2019 7:16 pm, Sylvia Else wrote: >> On 26/03/2019 1:52 pm, Je�us wrote: >>> >>> The nanny state is insatiable in it's desire for censorship: >>> >>> "ISPs in AU and NZ start censoring the internet without legal >>> precedent >>> >>> >>> Several websites including Voat, ZeroHedge, Archive.is, LiveLeak, and >>> others have been blocked in Australia and New Zealand in direct >>> contravention to civil liberties that citizens are supposed to have. >>> The biggest of these internet providers, Telstra, has published a blog >>> post defending their censorship action – even acknowledging that free >>> speech has been sacrificed by company decision: >>> >>> “We appreciate that it is necessary to ensure free speech is >>> carefully balanced against protecting the community – but with these >>> sites continuing to host disturbing content we feel it is the right >>> thing to do to block them.” >>> >>> In fact, some of the blocked sites have been unfairly lambasted in >>> mainstream media as “refusing” to take down offending material. Let’s >>> be clear, each and every one of the blocked websites operates lawfully >>> – that includes removing illegal material when requested. These >>> internet service providers (ISPs) in Australia and New Zealand have >>> taken it upon themselves to play judge, jury, and executioner in their >>> condemnation of these websites and their visitors just for exercising >>> free speech. >>> In New Zealand, mobile internet service providers take it upon >>> themselves to enact censorship >>> >>> Starting over the weekend, Spark NZ, Vodafone NZ, and Vocus NZ were >>> the three New Zealand ISPs that have taken it upon themselves to block >>> these sites. On their part, the ISPs and smartphone network providers >>> are claiming that these are only temporary blocks. Temporary blocks >>> that have lasted multiple days – more than long enough to change >>> people’s’ browsing habits. Even the perpetrators of this censorship >>> are aware how unprecedented it is. Geoff Thorn, a chief executive at >>> New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF), commented to CIO: >>> >>> “This is an unprecedented move by the telecommunications industry, >>> but one that they all agree is necessary.” >>> >>> CIO additionally confirmed that the ISPs are working together to ban >>> the same sites. >>> In Australia, censorship also happens at the whim of the internet >>> providers >>> >>> Unsurprisingly, the over-reactive censorship has even started >>> spreading around the world. Starting Monday the 18th, Telstra and >>> Vodafone in Australia have also implemented these blocks network wide >>> – that means even the many Australians using Vodafone reseller >>> networks are affected by Vodafone’s censorship decisions. Of course, >>> Facebook is not one of the sites that has been blocked. >>> >>> Are these blocks due to legal request, or is Telstra now censoring >>> entire sites due to internal policies? Setting a very dangerous >>> precedent >>> >>> — James Franklin (@James23235689) March 18, 2019 >>> >>> >>> Vodafone has even confirmed that they were told to place the blocks, >>> and they will remove the blocks when they are “advised” that the >>> illegal content has been removed. >>> Censoring free speech is never “the right thing to do” >>> >>> The internet providers in Australia and New Zealand are sliding down >>> an incredibly slippery slope against free speech. Previously, in >>> Australia and other parts of the world like Russia and Philippines, >>> ISPs would not censor access to websites unless clearly told to by the >>> government. The precedent that internet providers can decide when to >>> start blocking sites seemingly arbitrarily has now both been set and >>> abused… All in the name of “doing the right thing.”" >>> >>> https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2019/03/isps-in-au-and-nz-start-censoring-the-internet-without-legal-precedent/ >>> >> >> Optus are blocking Live Leaks, at the IP address level. >> >> I can't find anything in the terms and conditions that let's them do >> that. Looks to me as if they're in breach of contract. >> > > Are you sure there isn't anything in the law that allows them to prevent > access to "offensive" material? In fact the law REQUIRES them to do that.