Australian Govt Eyes Criminal Penalties For Illegal Internet Use

CYBERWAR

a dangerous keyboard warrior or just an angry constituent wanting answers to Richard Alston's latest diddle with the truth

Canberra - Aug 22, 2003
Using the internet in Australia for offensive and menacing purposes, including harassment and the advocacy of violence, will be outlawed as part of a crackdown on e-crime, the Australia minister for communications said Wednesday.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, said the Australian Government will soon introduce into Parliament amendments to make the use of a telecommunications service to carry offensive Internet content a criminal offence.

It is currently an offence to use a telecommunications service in a way that would be considered by reasonable persons as offensive, or with the result that another person is menaced or harassed.

However, the use of a telecommunications service to carry offensive Internet content is not covered by existing provisions. The new offence will carry a penalty of two years imprisonment, double the punishment for the existing offence.

People using the Internet to advocate or facilitate violent protests, for example by spreading information on methods of violently disrupting international meetings and attacking police officers protecting such gatherings, including those using the Internet to harass or menace others are amongst those who could be prosecuted under the new offences.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet content hosts will be exempted from the new offence where they do not have knowledge of the content of the material that they transmit or host.

A person who places material on the Internet that urges the commission of a criminal offence may also be caught by State and Territory offences for incitement to commit a criminal offence.

The new offence will form part of a package of new telecommunications-related offences which includes offences for the possession and distribution of Internet child pornography, targeting those who use the Internet to trade in child pornography.

The package will also include offences dealing with the "rebirthing" of stolen mobile phones which is a practice that allows criminals to circumvent technology that prevents stolen mobiles from accessing Australian mobile networks.

The Commonwealth Government already regulates Internet content through the Online Content Co-Regulatory Scheme. The new offence will complement this scheme by introducing criminal penalties for placing material on the Internet that would be regarded by reasonable persons as being, in all the circumstances, offensive.

Under this scheme the Australian Broadcasting Authority acts on complaints from the public and can order Internet content hosts in Australia not to host prohibited content.

Prohibited content is material that has been or would be Refused Classification or classified 'X'. Content hosted in Australia that is or would be classified 'R' is also prohibited if the offending material is not subject to adult verification restrictions.

CYBERWARS

MIT Web Site Gathers And Displays Information On Government

Boston - Jul 06, 2003
In an attempt to provide American citizens with digital tools for participating in the democratic process, researchers at the MIT Media Lab will unveil the Government Information Awareness web site on July 4.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.