Australian net censorship plans steamroll forward
GILC Alert: http://www.gilc.org/
The Australian government is roaring ahead with its plans to
censor inappropriate Internet content, despite scathing criticism
from Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA--a GILC member).
The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has issued new rules
regarding access to restricted websites. Under the "Restricted
Access Systems Declaration 1999 (No.1)", individuals would have
to register for the right to view Internet content that is likely
to be rated "R". The regulations would require certain "mandatory
data items for the electronic lodgement of an application" incl-
uding "name of applicant; declaration that applicant is 18 years
of age or over; and either credit card details; or digital sig-
nature". The Declaration would even force registrants to provide
such things as birth certificates or passports if they want to
register in paper form. [snipped]
