The Australian Federal Government has revealed plans to extend its internet filter plan to include computer and video games.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the proposed legislation will “block websites hosting and selling video games that are not suitable for 15 year olds.”
This potentially includes:
* a local or overseas website selling a game that has been refused classification locally, meaning for example that a website selling the previously banned Silent Hill: Homecoming may have found itself blocked
* browser-based or downloadable games and any website hosting such games that contain content that would be refused classification
* massively multiplayer games also containing content that would be refused classification
A spokesperson from the office of Stephen Conroy, Minister for Communications, told the SMH that the filter would cover “computer games such as web-based flash games and downloadable games, if a complaint is received and the content is determined by ACMA to be Refused Classification.”
Quite how this system will work when it’s based on “complaints”, we’re not sure.
In determining whether any online content might be refused classification, the ACMA would refer to the Classification Act, which states that MA15+ is the highest category before content is refused classification.
But where does this leave MMOs and other online games that, at present, are not required to be classified by the Classification Board?
Speaking to Kotaku, Ron Curry, head of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, said of the proposal:
“No filter is or can be 100% successful in stopping access to online digital content as the methods for disseminating digital content are constantly evolving. If parents hold a solid belief that ISP level filtering removes the possibility of accessing inappropriate content, there is a real and significant risk they will not undertake appropriate supervision and education of the online conduct of minors.
“This proposal simply provides another example of the gap in the current legislation. Hopefully this will provide concerned adults with another reason to take the time and effort to reply to the Government’s upcoming discussion paper on the R18+ Classification issue.”
The government’s internet filter is currently under trial with a number of ISPs. The policy has not yet been introduced.
Paul Down
June 26, 2009 at 2:16 AM
This shit is seriously all wrong. A great force is behind pushing our ratings system further, for great reason, this is the totally wrong FUCKING direction.
Report PermalinkDrunkspleen
June 26, 2009 at 2:27 AM
I don’t know about everyone else but I’ll be very interested in what my local liberal representative has to say about this scheme next federal election if it makes it in.
Sheesh, the workplace agreements don’t seem so bad now, atleast when I got home I could still do what I wanted without the government peeking it’s head around the corner to check up on me.
Report PermalinkAyrton Coll
June 26, 2009 at 11:34 AM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Report PermalinkQuietOne
June 26, 2009 at 11:54 AM
There is a need for this! Having worked in IT at a primary school, many parents always ask the question of how to prevent thier kids getting access to filth. The ISP needs to be the filter.
The question is though, is the filter an option for parents or are we all going under the rule?
Think of the children… not the teens.
Report PermalinkCat Tactics
June 26, 2009 at 12:35 PM
oh please…….
Report PermalinkAyrton Coll
June 26, 2009 at 12:04 PM
You know what? I’m going to complain about Age of Conan if this filter eve4r becomes real that game has some objectionable content and isn’t rated by the OFLC, then let’s see what happens when people can buy a game in a store but can’t actually play it.
Report Permalinkwoody
June 26, 2009 at 6:08 PM
It seems like we no-longer have freedom of speech.
So now I’m not only told what I can and can’t play, but also what I can’t look at on the internet?
What’s next telling me what time I have to go to bed?
This is ridiculous, sooner or later something’s gotta give.
Report Permalinkangry person
June 26, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I’d hate to be considered treasonous or anything, but a raging horde of gamers will overthrow them in some fashion if the goes through as is.
The only reason these changes would need to be is because the parents arent paying enough attention as is.
All thats going to happen is you’ll have pissed off kids, pissed off adults, lazier parents, and more pissed off adults at the little shits that lazy parents raise.
Report PermalinkDONAR
June 27, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Are they going to block phone calls to the stores in the UK or US as well?
Report PermalinkJohn Doe
June 27, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I voted these buggers in, now I’ll vote them out. Liberal Party sux but ths sux more. vote Libs and say bye bye labour.
Report Permalinkzankoku
June 29, 2009 at 12:53 AM
wow this sounds incredibly stupid and gay
Report PermalinkMartin
July 2, 2009 at 9:37 PM
okay. instead of complaining about it, why dont we all look at trying to get information about the paper being discussed so that comments about how these restrictions will affect adult gamers who are the majority here.
The save the children argument doesnt even rate 0.1 in this discussion as the parents should have a clue about what their kids are doing on the internet.
Report PermalinkDeedub
August 18, 2009 at 6:59 AM
I get the impression that the only thing stopping the Aussie politicians burning books is the risk of bush fire.
Report Permalink