Issue No 21: 10 September 2019 Industry Welcomes Blocking of Terror-Related WebsitesThe Internet Industry has welcomed the Government's direction to continue to block eight websites that continue to provide access to content related to the March 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. Australia’s major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) moved independently in the days immediately after the Christchurch attacks, to block more than 40 websites that, at that time, were hosting video of the attacks or the manifesto of the alleged perpetrator. The ISPs and industry association Communications Alliance – who were members of the task force subsequently set up by the Australian Prime Minister - pressed the Government to provide some direction, given that the ISPs did not have a clear legal footing for the action they had taken. Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, welcomed the finalisation of an operational agreement between industry and Government which paved the way for the blocking order issued today by the eSafety Commissioner. “Australia’s major ISPs stepped up quickly after the Christchurch attacks and, of their own accord, blocked access to websites that were hosting the terror-related material, “Industry recognised that this was the right thing to do, without explicit Government direction, and we are pleased to see the framework that is now in place as a result of constructive collaboration between industry, Government and its agencies.” The agreement with Government also provides a pathway to unblocking websites once they have removed the offending content. Industry players will continue to work with Government on other elements of the taskforce-recommended package of measures, including mechanisms to achieve better and more agile coordination of all stakeholders in the event that this is needed in future. Communications Alliance/AMTA Submission on Regional Connectivity ProgramCommunications Alliance and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) have lent their support to a new Federal Government initiative to improve the digital connectivity of Australians in regional and remote areas. IoT Impact 2019NEW: The Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Customer Service NSW, has just been confirmed as the opening plenary speaker and will launch the NSW IoT Policy Framework.FOR MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION/TICKETS: https://www.iotimpact.com.au/ Buy your ticket now and get a 10% discount by quoting this code: CA2019EC But hurry, discount offer ends 13 September 2019!
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