Why we oppose internet filtering
We are opposed to the Government implementing Internet filtering in New Zealand.
Join us in opposing the internet filter
By now you've probably heard about the government's plans to filter the internet in New Zealand. It's coming soon to an internet connection near you.
At Tech Liberty we believe that:
- the filtering won't work to stop the production and distribution of offensive material.
- that it poses a risk to the security and stability of the New Zealand internet.
- that filtering is the wrong approach and will inevitably be misused in the future.
We want the filter stopped.
We're looking for other people who feel the same way to join us in forming a coalition to oppose the implementation of the filter.
Join the coalition
If you want to be part of the it, please contact us at stopthefilter@techliberty.org.nz and tell us how you'd like to get involved and what you can do. We're going to need all the help we can get.
Sign up in support
If you want to register your support and be on the mailing list, send us an email at antifilter@techliberty.org.nz and ask to be added to the internet filtering mail list.
Internet filter list to be kept secret
When the internet filter was announced, one of our primary objections was that it was a secret censorship scheme. The list of banned sites was kept secret and there was no oversight of the entries on the list. As the experience of Australia and the UK has shown, this tends to lead to abuse as sites are blocked for no good reason. It also conflicts with the general thrust of the rest of NZ's censorship regime in which all decisions must be published.
Being believers in open and accountable government, we made a request under the Official Information Act for a copy of the filtering list and the inspector's reports that were used to justify adding sites to the list.
The Department of Internal Affairs refused our request for a copy of the list:
Internet Filtering Myths
Why is Tech Liberty opposed to an Internet filter that is claimed to block access to child pornography?
We have been asked this question from time to time, with the unspoken implication that by opposing the filter we are unwilling for something to be done about it, or that we are monsters who support such material. We do not support the production or distribution of such material. While we believe that free speech is an important value that should not be lightly overridden, we also accept the right of societies to choose to censor.
The production and distribution of child pornography are serious crimes that should be eradicated but that does not mean that any solution should be immediately deployed without question. In this post we attempt to debunk some of the popular myths about Internet filtering.
Internet NZ rejects government internet filter
Internet NZ has released a position paper (PDF) that rejects the governments's planned internet filtering scheme. Jordan Carter, InternetNZ Policy Director:
InternetNZ supports a safe environment for people online, and absolutely deplores the availability and use of child abuse material, However, a government filtering system, centrally operated, is not the answer.
The report says that the proposed filtering system:
Tech Liberty welcomes US defense of internet freedom
Yesterday, Hilary Clinton made a speech committing the USA to the cause of internet freedom.
We stand for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas.
DIA revamps Internet filter Code of Practice
The Department of Internal Affairs have released a new version of the Code of Practice (PDF) for their proposed Internet filtering system, as well as the initial membership of the Independent Reference Group (PDF).
Independent Reference Group (IRG)
The initial members of the Independent Reference Group are:
Internet Filtering Offered by ISPs
Statistics New Zealand recently released the results of their latest survey of ISPs (Internet Survey Providers). This included data on how many ISPs offered an Internet content filtering service.
Poll Shows NZers Against Internet Censorship
Stuff is running a poll about Internet censorship next to an article about the Australian plans to censor the Internet. While online polls aren't very statistically valid, I was still heartened to see the results:
Should New Zealand censor the internet?
- 13% - Yes, just like we censor films & TV.
- 61% - No, it's against free speech.
- 26% - No, it's a waste of money.
A total of 87% of the 1964 people who voted were opposed to Internet censorship.
Technical failure, not censorship
There have been recent claims that access to a number of international websites was deliberately blocked for New Zealand internet users.
Clare Swinney at InfoNews writes that Orcon, Slingshot and Telecom have blocked access to infowar.com and prisonplanet.tv, sites run by documentary maker and conspiracist Alex Jones.