If the Australian people allow mandatory internet filtering to prevail, we will become a nation where speech, deed and thought are funneled into concrete tunnels controlled by government. Web developments close at hand mean today’s battle is critical for tomorrow’s personal rights and responsibilities, CLA Director and Webmaster Lance Williamson says.
A future in the filtered world
So why oppose Senator Conroy’s dream of mandated internet filtering? Consider this.
In the near term Australia will be part of the future Web 3.0 phenomena where a unique identifier, such as OpenID, is available. Also, shortly the industry will implement IPv6 or Internet Protocol Version 6, which is capable of assigning some 2128 addresses – that is more than many times the earth’s population
In the name of efficiency, very effective use of the web and holding down costs, each Australian could receive an identifying address. That identifier will enable each Australian to be uniquely tied to an email address, mobile telephone number, postal address, numerous applications such as Facebook…the list goes on and on.
It will be appealing to industry, government and others; and it will make everyone’s life simpler. Yes, it does sound very much like the Australia Card by another name.
But, remember, Senator Conroy’s dream of mandatory filtering is in place. ‘Authorised’ agencies will scan your communications for ‘unwanted’ content. And why would you object because mandatory filtering has been in place all these past years? The fact that it has become far more ubiquitous remains unsaid, but understood by those who monitor what is happening behind the scenes.
Rights, you ask? Well, there are none, because rights weren’t part of the original internet filtering regime, so why do they need to be now, it will be argued. You have nothing to hide or fear, do you?
And remember, you don’t have a Bill of Rights to provide that safeguard that others may have in faraway places like America that provide some limits to the invasion of privacy and denial of free speech and communication rights.
Welcome to the future where censorship and privacy are archaic and arcane concepts.
– Lance Williamson, CLA Webmaster/Director