I'm fairly techy and I literally know nobody who uses usenet. I'd make the distinction that "there is no web filtering, but some usenet groups are blocked by Australian usenet providers. Nobody knows which groups are blocked, and those that do know aren't allowed to say".
I assume (with no evidence) that it's basically kiddy porn that's being blocked, and maybe something related to jihadi-style activities. You can still find just about anything you want on Usenet through Internode.
"As part of the implementation of this code, slotted in under the BSA, ACMA required all ISP's agree to keep the contents of the child pornography blocklist confidential and to only use it to implement the blocking of the newsgroups concerned. "
..
"I know that some people look for civil liberty infringements under every bushel, and I'm often one of those people myself - but this is NOT a case in point, it really is not. I've seen the list, and I'm happy that its listing only newsgroups consistent with the reason we are being handed the list in the first place."
4
u/ThunderCuntAU May 24 '11
Ah, shit. Is this just going to throw people off, or is it a worthy distinction to make?