Australia Legislators Propose ISP Feed Filtering

Australian lawmakers have proposed a novel approach to cleaning up Internet pornography.  They suggest government action to force Internet providers to send a "clean feed" devoid of pornographic and violent material.  Adults would have the option of receiving the unadulterated feed. 

Legislators have said that filtering software doesn't work.  According to statements reported in The Australian, two-thirds of parents have not installed filters, either due to cost or poor computer literacy.  The government rejects the idea on the basis that it would cost $45 million to set up and $33 million to maintain, presumably in Australian dollars.

No word on who would do the filtering, what standards would be in place, or whether the government or others would maintain a database of who decided to receive the, uh, unclean feed.  Perhaps someone should suggest this to the FCC.  Any proposals here would shake up the telecom industry when they try to offer films such as Wolf Creek and Hostel on IP pay-per-view.  Then again, there is the First Amendment with which to contend. 

The article in The Australian is here, mate.