Mystery providers join porn fight

By CHRIS BARTON

Two mystery internet providers are testing software with the Department of Internal Affairs to detect objectionable material in newsgroups.

Steve O'Brien, of the department's censorship compliance unit, would not name the providers, except to say they were among the big ones, but confirmed that German software called Perkeo was being tested.

Internet providers Xtra, TelstraClear (for Clearnet and Paradise), ihug and Iconz all said they were not involved.

O'Brien said the software detects objectionable images by comparing "checksums" of images posted to newsgroups against a database of known objectionable images.

When images such as child pornography are detected the department asks the internet provider to take the offending material down.

He said if the trial was successful the department would talk to other internet providers.

The information came to light in a select committee report on the inquiry into the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act 1993.

In discussing ways to curtail the exchange of objectionable material via the net, the committee noted: "The department and two ISPs [internet service providers] are currently trialling software that alerts both parties to the fact people were trading known objectionable material in newsgroups."

Newsgroups are like electronic noticeboards where internet users can "post" discussions on a range of topics.

Users can also share photos, graphics, audio files and software.

The committee also wants the Government to provide "filterware" free of charge to internet users. The reports says filtering products, which block access to objectionable web sites and images, should be made available to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material.

Another recommendation for an "effective way to police objectionable material emanating from outside New Zealand would be to place obligations on internet service providers that operate in New Zealand".

A first step would be to develop a voluntary code of practice for internet providers which could, if necessary, include legislation to enforce compliance. The committee noted that InternetNZ had being trying to set up such a code since 1999, but that key players such as Xtra had refused to participate.

The report said it hoped the industry would embrace the notion of "responsible" self-regulation.

An Xtra spokesperson said the company was reviewing the report and could not comment, but the InternetNZ code was different from a code that dealt with objectionable material.

Xtra, TelstraClear, WorldxChange and ihug asked the committee to recognise the "special position of internet service providers in relation to the carriage, distribution and publication of internet content".

The group submitted that the act imposed an unfair burden on them to monitor and control internet content.

They said it was "analogous to requiring a bed manufacturer or retailer to ensure that its beds, once sold, are not used for immoral purposes".

The submission proposed the act be amended to exempt internet providers from liability "unless they have knowledge of the nature of the relevant material through an approved notification procedure".

Censorship Inquiry

PERKEO

Battling internet smut

The censorship compliance unit of the Department of Internal Affairs was established in 1996 to enforce the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993.To date it has identified 500 New Zealanders trading in objectionable material. One hundred cases have resulted in successful prosecutions and 25 are pending.

Changes wanted

* Search warrants to investigate possible possession of objectionable material offences. Currently, search warrants are only for investigating supply of objectionable material.

* A review of the Broadcasting Act 1989 to ensure the illegality of broadcasting objectionable live webcam shows.

* A broader definition of "supply" to incorporate exchanging material via peer-to-peer file-sharing software.

* Clarification of when a "copy of an image" is deemed to have been made.

* A code of practice for internet providers, possibly with legislation to enforce compliance.

* Examine whether internet providers should be licensed or registered in order to control their behaviour.

* Make responsibility for education on the safe use of the internet a Government function.

* Expand the definition of "publication" to include "any computer file".