TELECOM SUPPORTS INTERNET FILTERING SYSTEM

Telecom has today announced it will join the Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System. The system filters the web content of participating Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to known websites that contain child sexual abuse material.

Telecom Retail CEO, Alan Gourdie says Telecom is committed to assisting the Department of Internal Affairs in this step towards addressing this serious issue.

“The abuse and exploitation of children is intolerable and this filter works to block access to known child exploitation websites.”

The Acting Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs, Craig Armitage, welcomed Telecom’s decision to sign up to the filtering system.

“We are working in partnership with New Zealand ISPs. This filter provides a service provider with the means to protect their customers from inadvertently accessing these illegal websites and to fight and raise awareness of the worldwide problem of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The filter is an important tool to reduce the demand for child abuse material currently available on the Internet. Telecom and other ISPs signing up are to be commended for taking this step.”

Mr Gourdie says while participating ISPs are signing up to combat child abuse, people should remain vigilant when taking steps to keep their families safe online.

“This filter does not negate the need for continued supervision and monitoring of Internet use to keep kids safe online. We encourage Kiwis to keep their Internet security up to date – Telecom’s McAfee Security Suite includes parental controls and is free for all our customers with compatible operating systems.

”Parents can also find more information about online safety at netsafe.org.nz and hectorsworld.com.”

The Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System was made available to ISPs in March 2010 following a two-year trial, and is overseen by an Independent Reference Group, of which Telecom is a member.

For more information on the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System please visit the DIA website. The system will be applied in coming weeks.