Department of Internal Affairs to Implement NZ Internet Filter

Forums › ICT Policies and Regulation › Department of Internal Affairs to Implement NZ Internet Filter

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Software and Security Dev
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Reply # 306258 11-Mar-2010 13:15
Do we have a list available of ISPs implementing this? -- Stephen twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

ZollyMonsta

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Reply # 306264 11-Mar-2010 14:15
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3434754/New-Zealands-internet-filter-goes-live ... "The Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) internet filter is now operational and is being used by internet providers (ISPs) Maxnet and Watchdog." ..."Telstra Clear, Telecom and Vodafone have said they will implement the filter, with Orcon, Slingshot and Natcom saying that they won't."

rphenix

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Reply # 306265 11-Mar-2010 14:17
ZollyMonsta: http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3434754/New-Zealands-internet-filter-goes-live ... "The Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) internet filter is now operational and is being used by internet providers (ISPs) Maxnet and Watchdog." ..."Telstra Clear, Telecom and Vodafone have said they will implement the filter, with Orcon, Slingshot and Natcom saying that they won't." Wonder if any of these ISP's that are going to implement it will give their users an opt out option?

NZCoderGuy

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Reply # 306266 11-Mar-2010 14:21
I can only assume if your ISP is applying this new filter, it will be for all users without having any option to opt out. otherwise, what would the point be? Thanks also for the URL :) -- Stephen twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

freitasm

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Reply # 306273 11-Mar-2010 14:34
There is no opt-out at user level. The filter is "optional" for ISPs but if your ISP join the programme you are there... Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

PhantomSS

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Reply # 306281 11-Mar-2010 14:59
I have read this site and noted down that they are blocking Child Pornography. Is this something weshould consider? Or is there a reason to saying no. I'm glad Xtra have adopted this marvelous Technology as I will not be able to view this most heinous material anymore. It has been in the works for many years now, and according to much credited research it has not slowed down the internet at all. So why not use it. I would be in awe if New Zealand followed China into the 22nd Century and started to tell it's people what's accessible and what is not. The only thing I can see wrong with it is a breach of freedom of speech, which of course we don;t have because we're New Zealand. Most people will not like this, and I can see a lot of people jumping ship because of it. Even though the S92a is looming in the midst

freitasm

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Reply # 306284 11-Mar-2010 15:07
The problem is that people trading this kind of material don't use the web. They use IRC channels, IM, encrypted emails. This filter won't change a thing for the really bad people. Normal people just don't come across this kind of material in their daily use of the Internet because any site with this is quickly taken down. However once a system is in place for filtering we can quickly get into some other stuff. What if the government of the day doesn't like having opposition parties on the Internet? What if they don't like people discussing the latest tax changes? It is a big risk giving this power to an unknown entity with an unknown list. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

adam77

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Reply # 306292 11-Mar-2010 15:19
My email to Telstra... "I am considering moving my ISP provision to Telstra, however, Telstra's support for the DIA censorship scheme has made me think twice. I am against the scheme because I believe it endangers civil liberties and will not achieve its stated goals. I am familiar with DIAs rationale for the system and believe it to be flawed. I am saddened that so much effort and money is being wasted on this useless filter." Their response... "It is highly likely that TelstraClear will be implementing this software. TelstraClear have been strongly supportive and expressed our desire to connect to the IP Filtering service because blocking child sex abuse sites is highly consistent with our brand and customers’ interests. Like our cyber bullying initiative, we will take steps to keep our customers safe online. When introduced, it is unlikely that users will have an "opt out" as this would over-ride the reasons for implementing it." In other words: "dear potential customer, like it or lump it, we're not interested in a discussion"

dman

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Reply # 306321 11-Mar-2010 16:51
freitasm: And the filter went "live" today. My thoughts from back in July 2009 are still fresh. bah! NZ just made one more step towards the dark ages.... ZollyMonsta: http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3434754/New-Zealands-internet-filter-goes-live ... "The Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) internet filter is now operational and is being used by internet providers (ISPs) Maxnet and Watchdog." ..."Telstra Clear, Telecom and Vodafone have said they will implement the filter, with Orcon, Slingshot and Natcom saying that they won't." horray! Another reason that it is great I'm on Orcon. I'm going to spread this across facebook to encourage boycotting of Telstra Clear, Telecom and Vodafone PhantomSS: I have read this site and noted down that they are blocking Child Pornography. Is this something weshould consider? Or is there a reason to saying no. I'm glad Xtra have adopted this marvelous Technology as I will not be able to view this most heinous material anymore. lol, I laughed out that for real. That a person could seriously say: " I'm glad Xtra have adopted this marvelous Technology as I will not be able to view this most heinous material anymore". Because not only is it so ludicrously wrong (I've been surfing the web for years and I've got some dodgy inclinations yet I've never ever seen child porn, sure you see those commercial sites which are pushing the envelope but they're just 18+ actors who look a couple of years younger. Not the thing of pedophiles, I've never gone "OMG that is a 5yo boy being defiled in the arse by a pedo in beard, glasses, and grey trench coat!!!!" . haha, your chance of stumbling on that is ZERO PERCENT), but it implies it will stop you viewing child porn.... to be able to stop, you must be doing it right now! haha, an admission of guilt PhantomSS: It has been in the works for many years now, and according to much credited research it has not slowed down the internet at all. So why not use it. I would be in awe if New Zealand followed China into the 22nd Century and started to tell it's people what's accessible and what is not. thank goodness I keep on reading to this point and realised you're joking. Following China in to the 22nd century eh... adam77: My email to Telstra... "I am considering moving my ISP provision to Telstra, however, Telstra's support for the DIA censorship scheme has made me think twice. I am against the scheme because I believe it endangers civil liberties and will not achieve its stated goals. I am familiar with DIAs rationale for the system and believe it to be flawed. I am saddened that so much effort and money is being wasted on this useless filter." Their response... "It is highly likely that TelstraClear will be implementing this software. TelstraClear have been strongly supportive and expressed our desire to connect to the IP Filtering service because blocking child sex abuse sites is highly consistent with our brand and customers’ interests. Like our cyber bullying initiative, we will take steps to keep our customers safe online. When introduced, it is unlikely that users will have an "opt out" as this would over-ride the reasons for implementing it." In other words: "dear potential customer, like it or lump it, we're not interested in a discussion" A very good idea, we should all send out emails to Telstra Clear, Telecom and Vodafone. Explaining exactly why we will not be using their service. And likewise an email to Orcon, Slingshot and Natcom congratulating them on their stance. Personally I'll write an email along the lines of "because I'm going to be moving soon I'm naturally looking for a new ISP but having discovered you're going to implement this filter I've automatically ruled you out as a possibility" Who I am: multi time Ironman finisher, University of Auckland graduate, Freelancer (mainly focused on website development, message me for work). twitter.com/TersoIT

GBristow

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Reply # 306419 11-Mar-2010 22:09
I posted this in the Vodafone sub-forum, but rscole86 pointed out that discussion was already taking place here: I have a fundamental problem with censorship; especially as it pertains to the internet. Even worse, there will be no oversight into what material or websites get blacklisted. As is all too common with censorship throughout history, it takes a very short space of time for the scope of what's deemed "inappropriate" to increase. It always starts with "think of the children". I would feel better if not all the major ISPs were backing this so eagerly. Better yet, why doesn't the DIA allow public oversight? Transparency would make everyone feel better. The way this has and is being handled is really strange.

yuxek

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Reply # 306424 11-Mar-2010 22:42
digg the article here: http://digg.com/tech_news/New_Zealand_s_internet_filter_goes_live_Stuff_co_nz/ hey by the way, i wonder how the system operates. if there was illegal porn on youtube.com, would the whole of youtube be blocked by the filter or just the direct link like for example youtube.com/video/watch453534

jpollock

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Reply # 306461 12-Mar-2010 08:33
yuxek: hey by the way, i wonder how the system operates. if there was illegal porn on youtube.com, would the whole of youtube be blocked by the filter or just the direct link like for example youtube.com/video/watch453534 There is a set of IP addresses which are marked as "suspect". These IP addresses are routed to the DIA by the ISP. The DIA then has an HTTP proxy with a more detailed list of URLs on those sites. The requested URL is then matched against the request. If it matches, it is redirected to the DIA's warning page. Otherwise it is proxied to the final destination. Problems with the method: 1) It only works on HTTP. If the site uses HTTPS, it's foiled. Heck, it probably only works on port 80. 2) The list is private 3) There's no way to know if you're on the list 4) There's no easy way to get off the list. 5) The list is populated based on recommendations of an NGO. 6) The requirements to be on the list are not well defined. 7) Filtering like this is easily subject to capture by extreme groups of either side. All this will do is encourage web sites to go to HTTPS, and users to purchase VPN accounts to locations which have stronger free speech laws (the US), which is bad for the Internet and bad for New Zealand. --- http://blog.jason.pollock.ca

thomasbeagle

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Reply # 306533 12-Mar-2010 11:09
Hi, Here's the list of ISPs I did back in July 2009. http://thomasbeagle.net/2009/07/17/but-which-isps/ I'm currently trying to update it and will post it at the Tech Liberty NZ site when I do. Orcon are currently wavering a bit. If you're an Orcon user and want your internet to remain unfiltered, write to them now!

yuxek

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Reply # 306620 12-Mar-2010 13:55
it's a shame web browser companies don't integrate something like tor into their software. they already integrate proxy settings but no onion routing. maybe someone in new zealand can create a tor plugin for ie8 and a tor extension for chrome.

freitasm

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Reply # 306623 12-Mar-2010 13:59
Thomas, can you confirm which ISPs are active right now? I am asking this because someone asked in the Vodafone forums why xvideos.com is blocked (porn site, absolutely NSFW). Vodafone people implied - without saying it - that it was blocked by the DIA filter and pointed to this discussion. However I am using TelstraClear which seems to be part of the filter and that site resolves fine here and certainly it's an adult site, but not the type of porn the DIA filter are supposed to protect us against. My question is: since the DIA list is unknown to us, could an ISP start blocking websites on its own, then blaming the DIA filter? They could be doing this just to reduce traffic, etc. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

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