Controversial NZ Internet filter goes live

The New Zealand government's controversial Internet filter is now live, with some Web traffic from ISPs Maxnet and Watchdog being checked against a database of blacklisted sites.

The Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System, which has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates over issues such as the filter's scope, public disclosure of blocked material and due process, blocks access to objectionable content, displaying a screen which warns surfers that the Web site they are attempting to access contains illegal material.

The Department of Internal Affairs have stated that the filter will not be used as a law enforcement device.

Reportedly the filter has been live since February 1st 2010, however the DIA delayed the announcement until an independent reference group had examined the system. 

For more on the filter see the April issue of NetGuide, on sale March 29th.