Australian ISPs Soon To Become Copyright Cops

srjh writes "In the Australian Federal Government's latest assault on the internet, draft legislation has been released that allows network operators to intercept communications to ensure that their networks are being 'appropriately used.' Such legislation is particularly important given the interference of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in a recent copyright lawsuit against iiNet, one of the largest ISPs in the country. Conroy called prominent filtering opponent iiNet's inaction over copyright infringement 'stunning,' whereas iiNet claimed that it would be illegal under current Australian law to intercept its users' downloads. While this latest legislation appears to be a concession of that point, the government is said to be watching the case closely and along with attempts to introduce a three-strikes law in Australia, it appears the law will be changed if the government dislikes the outcome of the case. The internet villain of the year just continues to earn his title."

Comments

Re:Stephen Conroy

[Ihmhi]

There is something kinda like that called Savate.

Re:Do we want the government watching us?

[V!NCENT]

So what's next? Sueing bus companies for delivering terrorists to certain locations without being able to search all their backgrounds of all the passengers?

"Hey you transported a criminal to a certain location. IT'S YOUR FAULT HE COMMITED A CRIME! You should have played the police for us or face the consequences!

People like this, although I do not even live in Australia, makes we want to form a group of people, buy a shitload of waepons and shoot these idiotic assholes.*

*DISCLAIMER: which I am not going to do ofcourse!

Do you have a better suggestion?

[MacTO]

It is easy to blame the totalitarian actions of governments or the protectionist desires of industry for bad laws, yet illegal activities that are screened by the relative anonymity of the Internet are a persistent problem. Screaming about our loss of freedoms and privacy through draconian laws does not solve the problem of illegal activities, because the government and industry are not the root of the problem. Indeed, it may even make the problem worse since those who commit the crime will believe that they won't have to do the time.