Deliver Your News to the World

Telstra supportive of interim internet child protection measures


WEBWIRE

Telstra today announced it supported the introduction of interim child protection measures while the Australian Government undertook a review of the Refused Classification (RC) content blacklist.

Telstra’s Group Managing Director, Public Policy and Communications, David Quilty, said Minister Conroy asked major ISPs to take a leadership position and voluntarily block a list of known child pornography and abuse websites compiled by ACMA while its RC review occurred.

“Telstra is happy to do this and continue our strong industry leadership in Cyber-safety,” Mr Quilty said.

Mr Quilty said, as Australia’s largest ISP, Telstra’s leading role in cyber-safety included supporting a wide range of consumer education programs, funding research, participating in global initiatives and providing its customers with relevant information, internet products and expertise.

“Educating Australian kids, parents, teachers and carers about safe and secure internet and technology use is an integral part of our business and we are determined that our customers have the tools and the knowledge to help protect themselves and their children online.”

Telstra’s cyber-safety measures also include:

* the establishment of its Internet Trust and Safety Officer and Working Group;
* active participation on various government advisory groups and in cyber-safety education and awareness programs;
* offering the BigPond Security product, a comprehensive computer security solution made available especially for BigPond customers;
* supporting a number of community initiatives through the Telstra Foundation’s Cyber-Safety program, which recently announced a further $3 million, three year commitment, taking its total commitment to $6 million since June 2007; and
* supporting programs such as SuperClubsPLUS Australia, a safe and protected social network for six to 12 year olds and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s e-smart program which is now supported by the Federal Government with a $3 million grant for a recently completed pilot program involving 160 schools.

“We will continue to help our customers understand the steps they can take to make the online experience as safe as possible,” Mr Quilty said.

“However, it is important for people to understand that there is no magic solution which will make the internet 100 per cent safe. As a result, we will continue to work closely with the Australian Federal Police, ACMA and other authorities to combat the abuse and exploitation of children.”

Mr Quilty said Telstra understood the Government would ensure that ISPs would not be legally liable for voluntarily blocking child pornography and abuse sites as determined by ACMA and that a mandatory filtering regime would be put in place following the completion of the RC review.

Please visit the Telstra Internet and Cyber-safety site for more information.



WebWireID119719





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.