Seems that governments are all the same everywhere, they must get a high off controlling what you can do say or see on the web.  The Australian government is finally introducing a system of filtering content on the net we had reported earlier, where there are blacklists for illegal stuff and inappropriate content for children.

Bad thing is that after telling Aussies that individuals would have opt out options, that is, not using the filters, they are forcing everybody to use the filters.¬† A government official says that those who choose to opt out will be put in a watered down filter-list, which beats logic, because in CPB’s books filters are filters.¬† Watered down or not.

The Open-Net Initiative website quotes a spokesman for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the filters will be mandatory for all Australians.

“Labor‚Äôs plan for cyber-safety will require ISPs to offer a clean feed Internet service to all homes, schools and public Internet points accessible by children,‚Äù Marshall said.

“The upcoming field pilot of ISP filtering technology will look at various aspects of filtering, including effectiveness, ease of circumvention, the impact on internet access speeds and cost.

The plan is to be implemented through the ISPs, meaning that it will be applicable to all internet users in Australia.

CPB thinks that it is very hypocritical for Australia to demand online and other freedoms from other countries and not practice the same.  We will continue monitoring the situation.