This message is intended as a call-to-arms for BUGTRAQ subscribers as well as a warning to subscribers in other countries. Yesterday, the Australian Senate (Upper House of the Federal Government) passed legislation to censor the Internet (I don't have a URL for the final legislation at present). This legislation mandates the censorship of Internet content (which includes mailing lists) as if it was a film. All Australian ISPs are required filter overseas content that would be rated X or RC under the Australian classification guidelines (see http://www.oflc.gov.au/PDFs/Film%20&%20Video%20Guidelines.pdf). The RC (Refused Classification) category states: "The Classification Code sets out the criteria for refusing to classify a film or video. The criteria fall into three categories. These include films that: ... promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence." and later "Films and videos will be refused classification: or if they contain: ... detailed instruction in: matters of crime or violence," BUGTRAQ is a full-disclosure list and regularly contains detailed descriptions of how to break into computers. Breaking into computers is a crime in Australia. It is therefore possible that BUGTRAQ could be classified "RC" and hence banned in Australian. Refer to http://www.efa.org.au/ for further information. Peter -- Peter Jeremy (VK2PJ) peter.jeremyat_private Alcatel Australia Limited 41 Mandible St Phone: +61 2 9690 5019 ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015 Fax: +61 2 9690 5982
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Apr 13 2001 - 14:47:21 PDT