Several websites including Voat, ZeroHedge, Archive.is, LiveLeak, and others have been blocked in Australia and New Zealand in direct contravention to civil liberties that citizens are supposed to have. The biggest of these internet providers, Telstra, has published a blog post defending their censorship action \u2013 even acknowledging that free speech has been sacrificed by company decision:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate that it is necessary to ensure free speech is carefully balanced against protecting the community \u2013 but with these sites continuing to host disturbing content we feel it is the right thing to do to block them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In fact, some of the blocked sites have been unfairly lambasted in mainstream media as \u201crefusing\u201d to take down offending material. Let\u2019s be clear, each and every one of the blocked websites operates lawfully \u2013 that includes removing illegal material when requested. These internet service providers (ISPs) in Australia and New Zealand have taken it upon themselves to play judge, jury, and executioner in their condemnation of these websites and their visitors just for exercising free speech.<\/p>\n
In New Zealand, mobile internet service providers take it upon themselves to enact censorship<\/h2>\n
Starting over the weekend, Spark NZ, Vodafone NZ, and Vocus NZ were the three New Zealand ISPs that have taken it upon themselves to block these sites. On their part, the ISPs and smartphone network providers are claiming that these are only temporary blocks. Temporary blocks that have lasted multiple days \u2013 more than long enough to change people\u2019s\u2019 browsing habits. Even the perpetrators of this censorship are aware how unprecedented it is. Geoff Thorn, a chief executive at New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF), commented to CIO:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an unprecedented move by the telecommunications industry, but one that they all agree is necessary.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
CIO additionally confirmed that the ISPs are working together to ban the same sites.<\/p>\n
In Australia, censorship also happens at the whim of the internet providers<\/h2>\n
Unsurprisingly, the over-reactive censorship has even started spreading around the world. Starting Monday the 18th, Telstra and Vodafone in Australia have also implemented these blocks network wide \u2013 that means even the many Australians using Vodafone reseller networks are affected by Vodafone\u2019s censorship decisions. Of course, Facebook is not one of the sites that has been blocked.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/James23235689\/status\/1107657943678279680<\/p>\n
Vodafone has even confirmed that they were told to place the blocks, and they will remove the blocks when they are \u201cadvised\u201d that the illegal content has been removed.<\/p>\n
Censoring free speech is never \u201cthe right thing to do\u201d<\/h2>\n
The internet providers in Australia and New Zealand are sliding down an incredibly slippery slope against free speech. Previously, in Australia<\/a> and other parts of the world like Russia<\/a> and Philippines<\/a>, ISPs would not censor access to websites unless clearly told to by the government. The precedent that internet providers can decide when to start blocking sites seemingly arbitrarily has now both been set and abused\u2026 All in the name of \u201cdoing the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHi Matt, Vodafone Australia has temporarily blocked sites known to be actively hosting footage of the shootings in Christchurch. We believe it's absolutely the right thing to do. When we receive advice the content has been removed from these sites, we will then remove the block.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Vodafone Australia (@VodafoneAU) March 18, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n