Internet Service Provider (ISP) filtering
ISP filtering is a key component of the Australian Government’s cyber-safety plan. Filtering of online material at the ISP level reflects the view that ISPs should take some responsibility for enabling the blocking of such content on the internet.
This is consistent with the recent child online protection guidelines issued by the International Telecommunications Union. The guidelines state that the strategic objective for the internet industry for child internet safety should be to reduce the availability of, and restrict access to, harmful or illegal content and conduct.
ISP-level content filtering is already occurring in other countries, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Government wants to ensure a similar level of protection for internet users in Australia.
ISP-level filtering of Refused Classification material
The Government has recently announced that in 2010 it will introduce legislative amendments to require all ISPs in Australia to use ISP‑level filtering to block overseas hosted Refused Classification (RC) material on the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) RC Content list.
Content defined under the National Classification Scheme as Refused Classification includes child sexual abuse imagery, bestiality, sexual violence, detailed instruction in crime, violence or drug use and/or material that advocates the doing of a terrorist act.
The RC Content list will be based on public complaints to the ACMA and assessed using existing criteria set out in the National Classification Scheme. The ACMA will also liaise with highly reputable overseas organisations to identify lists of child abuse material suitable for incorporation into the RC Content list.
In addition, the Government will immediately undertake public consultation, based on the consultation paper currently available, on additional measures to improve the accountability and transparency of processes that lead to placement of material on the RC Content list. To the extent practicable, these measures will also apply to child abuse material added to the list through co-operation with overseas agencies. These URLs of known child abuse material will only be added after an assessment of the robustness of the processes used by such international agencies.
The Government will allocate funds to the ACMA to enhance the security of the RC Content list and to automate its transmission to ISPs.
The ACMA and the Department will shortly consult with retail and wholesale ISPs on the implementation of ISP-level filtering, including the development of an industry Code of Practice.
Additional filtering
The Government has also recently announced it will establish a program to encourage ISPs to offer additional ISP-level filtering services on a commercial basis to assist parents to provide a safer online environment for their children, including from inadvertently accessing harmful online material such as potential X18+ and gambling sites.
ISP-level filters can enable parents to choose from a broad range of categories of content they wish to filter without having to download or configure software on their personal computers.
Frequently asked Questions
The Department has provided answers to a number of frequently asked questions in relation to the Government’s plans for the introduction of ISP-level filtering.
Are you an ISP seeking further information?
The Government is committed to continue working closely with the internet industry in relation to the implementation of ISP-level filtering.
If you are an ISP seeking further information on the technical aspects of filtering, register your details with the Department via the online form.
ISP filtering pilot
As part of its plan to examine the introduction of ISP-level filtering, the Government conducted a live ISP filtering pilot in 2009 that provided valuable information on the effectiveness and efficiency of filters installed in 'real world' ISP networks.
The live pilot, managed by independent testing laboratory Enex TestLab, demonstrated that filtering of a defined list of online content can achieve 100 per cent accuracy and no noticeable performance degradation directly attributable to the filter.
Enex TestLab has provided its report of findings from the ISP filtering pilot.
