Media Release

Pilot to assess technical feasibility of ISP filtering

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today announced the first phase of the Government's Internet Service Provider (ISP) Filtering Live Pilot will begin with an initial six ISPs.

"The Government is committed to take an evidence-based approach to implementing its cyber-safety policy and these trials will provide valuable information to inform our approach," Senator Conroy said.

"Arrangements for the first phase of the live pilot have been finalised with six ISPs while consultations continue with a number of other ISPs that have applied to take part.

"The initial round of ISPs are Primus Telecommunications, Tech 2U, Webshield, OMNIconnect, Netforce and Highway 1.

"The government is well-aware of technical concerns about ISP filtering and that is why we are conducting a pilot, to put these claims to the test.

"The live pilot will provide evidence on the real-world impacts of ISP content filtering, including for providers and internet users. It will provide evidence to assist the Government in the implementation of its policy."

Testing with each ISP will take place for a minimum six weeks once filtering equipment has been obtained and installed. It will look at the efficiency and effectiveness of a range of technical solutions, as well as other issues such as the ease of circumvention, impact on internet speeds and user experience.

Customers of participating ISPs will be able to choose whether they want to be included in the pilot trial (note: all WebShield customers already receive a filtered service).

ISPs were invited to put forward proposals to participate in two pilot streams:

• Filtering the ACMA blacklist of prohibited URLs.
• Filtering the ACMA blacklist of prohibited URLs, as well as additional content filtering solutions that may be offered as optional services by ISPs.

"ISP filtering is no silver bullet and the Government is implementing a comprehensive set of measures to combat online threats," Senator Conroy said.

At the last Budget the Government announced a comprehensive $125.8 million cyber safety policy including:

• education and information measures
• law enforcement, including 91 extra Australian Federal Police officers
• resources such as help-lines and websites
• ISP-level content filtering
• consultative arrangements with industry, child protection bodies and children, and
• further research to identify possible areas for further action.

For further information on the Government's cyber-safety policy, including detailed questions and answers, see: www.dbcde.gov.au/cybersafetyplan

Date: 11 February 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457