[AusNOG] Hyperlink fines from ACMA [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Brad Gould]

Kayne Naughton wrote:
>> According to Whirlpool posts the content assessment team is

Unfortunately ACMA are perceived, by some, to be the fire breathing end 
of legislation, when in fact they are just the instrument of it.

I havent heard (except 14 year olds on Whirlpool) anyone speak of ACMA 
without respect.  Sure, I've had many discussions where the legislation 
ACMA works under is ridiculed, but that's not ACMA, nor its staff.

The people classifying content must have a tremendously difficult job, 
and I dont know what they deserve more, our respect/sympathy or a pay rise.

To Skeeve et al...

My understanding is that ACMA issue a takedown notice once content is 
found to be in Australia (whatever that means, the argument of a content 
or company actual physical location not withstanding), but *only* after 
someone has actually made a complaint about it.

If the company does not action the complaint within a specified time, 
then fines may be applied.  I suspect Bulletproof were involved because 
they "own" the IP address, and ACMA contact them rather than the owners 
of the domain (whirlpool.net.au).  I dont think there was anything 
nefarious going on, sensational journalism aside.

So really, if your hosting a forum or blog etc etc, I'd be far more 
frightened of users posting slanderous actionable statements than 
prohibited or potentially prohibited content.  Whirlpool has had many 
legal threats, and only one takedown notice (and only as a result of its 
users trying to show the stupidity of the Governments legislation and 
efforts to control content on the internet).

Brad
(also speaking on behalf of himself)


-- 
Brad Gould, Network Engineer
Internode
PO Box 284, Rundle Mall 5000
Level 5, 162 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000
P: 08 8228 2999  F: 08 8235 6999
bradley at internode.com.au; http://www.internode.on.net/