Australia will Try to Censor the Web

by Jordan Yerman | December 23, 2007 at 01:31 pm

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This could have far-reaching effects on sites that, ahem, promote user-generated content. After all, how can you tell what's going to be uploaded tomorrow, or the next day? For example, if we get an article on NowPublic from someone covering the AVN Awards (sort of like the Golden Globes for adult films), which is a legitimately newsworthy event, do we then become a pr0n site in the eyes of the Australian 'net police?

NEW restrictions on online chatrooms, websites and mobile phone content will be introduced within a month to stop children viewing unsuitable material.

From January 20 new laws will be in effect, imposing tougher rules for companies that sell entertainment-related content on subscription internet sites and mobile phones.

It is the first time content service providers will have to check that people accessing MA15-plus content are aged over 15 years and those accessing R18-plus and X18-plus content are over 18.

Good luck with that.