Let’s hope that Stephen Conroy is paying close attention to the unfolding situation between China and Google.
China is being accused of gaining unauthorised access to Google via portals setup by the company to allow law enforcement access upon previously agreed terms.
There is nothing new about the concept of these portals, and for all I know there are similar portals on Australian communication providers, but I would doubt that any are as ham-fisted as the proposed system for mandatory ISP level filtering.
The point is that the very presence of extra infrastructure between Internet users and the Internet introduces a security risk. This risk is exacerbated as control of this infrastructure (the black list) is maintained by a third party outside of the ISP. From day one the system will inevitably be a prime target for criminal gangs as a platform for launching denial-of-service attacks, monitoring user activity and potentially (and extremely dangerously) redirecting web access.
I’m not suggesting that the Australian Government or law enforcement will hack there way into an ISP’s network via this route. But the investment required from both the Federal Government and the ISPs to attempt to secure this service will be considerable. And, or course, there will be no way to 100% secure the system.
Filed under: nocleanfeed, politics | 1 Comment
What the heck, everyone else is making predictions, so why not me?
My key prediction: Forget the device itself, the wow on the 26th will be about the ecosystem that Apple is building to surround the tablet.
Right now most commentators believe that an Apple tablet is on the way and they’re scratching about trying to figure out the specs. So I am going to leave that to them. I am sure the consensus of the number of cameras and size of screen is about right. But the issue being missed in most of these predictions is the key question: Is there a tablet shaped hole in your life?
And to answer this question, I believe Steve’s ‘one last thing’ will be to announce content deals to end all content deals.
Books, newspapers and magazines will be available via iTunes via subscription. The content will be available via Boxee style apps/channels from the likes of the worlds leading newspaper and magazine owners. Free content will also be available in these channels from sources such as the BBC and CNN.
In the light of Apples recent purchase of Lala we should add music subscriptions to that mix.
And with subscription services being offered from the iTunes store comes another killer feature. Subsidized hardware. Sign up for a two-year content subscription and the Tablet is $199, $99 or even free.
In the recent past Apple has not produced any significant lemons. So it’s fairly safe to say that if a tablet device is released this year, the hardware will be another quality product. However, dominating the headlines in the days after the 26th, will be Apple’s major push to dominate the content distribution market.
Maybe I am starting to see a tablet shaped whole in my life?
P.S. Other predictions of lesser significance:
- There will be a new version of the iPhone OS announced that will add functionality such that the iPhone can become a peripheral to the Tablet or visa versa.
- The device will be available in March, although not in Australia for another couple of months.
- The device will not be called the iSlate.
Filed under: Apple, predictions | 1 Comment
Dear Minister Conroy,
An (open) letter to Australian Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy about the proposed mandatory ISP filter.
Dear Minister Conroy,
I am an IT professional with 10 years experience, I currently work for a Queensland Government department as a Technical and Security Architect (IT). I am also a father of two great kids who are approaching net surfing age.
I read with interest your letter to Crikey (23rd December) in which you set the record straight on a number of issues raised by campaigners against mandatory Internet filtering. I agree with your sentiment that some areas of the debate are loosing sight of the facts.
While we are picking our way through the issues, I would like to pick you up on a couple of sections of your letter to Crikey:
“Let me repeat the government has been clear that mandatory filtering will only apply to RC-rated content.” (near the end)
To my mind this (in bold) is a crucial aspect to the debate, and one that you have misrepresented in this statement. In fact ALL content will be filtered and only RC-rated content will be blocked. I imagine that is what you mean, but the fact that ALL content will be filtered is my main objection to your planned policy implementation.
I object to having Government controlled infrastructure inline with (and monitoring) my Internet use. For me its a matter of privacy. Bruce Schneier (notary IT security specialist) said it well when he wrote:
“Privacy is an inherent human right, and a requirement for maintaining the human condition with dignity and respect.”
Privacy is not about hiding a wrong:
“We do nothing wrong when we make love or go to the bathroom. We are not deliberately hiding anything when we seek out private places for reflection or conversation. We keep private journals, sing in the privacy of the shower, and write letters to secret lovers and then burn them. Privacy is a basic human need.” (more … http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/05/the_value_of_pr.html)
What is next? Will the Government start monitoring the sender addresses of my mail?
Throughout this debate, and again in your letter to Crikey you make statements such as this:
“This [RC] content is not available in newsagencies, on library shelves, at the cinema or on DVD and you certainly can’t watch it on TV.”
And ask the question:
“Why shouldn’t Australian ISPs be required to block access to such content?”
Well it’s a completely different model that’s why. Newsagencies, libraries, cinema’s and TV stations don’t ‘block’ access to anything. The Government does not mandate the installation of technology that will be able to identify and block patrons of these outlets who attempt to access (inadvertently or otherwise) RC material. That’s why. These are all ‘old world’ systems that can be controlled by old world thinking, the digital world is vastly different and can’t be controlled in the same way.
What I want to see, and what I believe will satisfy all but the staunchest opponents of this proposed legislation is choice. Just change one word, “mandatory”. Help turn Australia from a laughing stock of the western digital world, to a nation of digital leaders by educating them on the choices they can make.
Please change the proposed legislation to make an ISP filter an opt-in choice. Then you will have my support.
Regards
Mike Chambers
Filed under: nocleanfeed, politics | 1 Comment
