THE Obama administration has questioned the Rudd government's plan to introduce an internet filter, saying it runs contrary to the US's foreign policy of encouraging an open internet to spread economic growth and global security.
Officials from the State Department have raised the issue with Australian counterparts as the US mounts a diplomatic assault on internet censorship by governments worldwide.

The news is a blow to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, who is defending the plan for internet companies to mandatorily block illegal and abhorrent websites -- for instance, child pornography -- but faces growing opposition.

While considered a noble idea, any filter is considered by many -- even within the Labor caucus -- to be unworkable and a misdirection of resources away from enforcement and policing.

That the US government joins a widening coalition of agencies with concerns about the plan is sure to turn up the political heat on Senator Conroy.

It follows criticism from Google -- in the midst of a high-profile battle in China over political censorship -- that Australia's plan for mandatory filtering of blacklisted websites may prevent the free flow of information and would probably be ineffective in curbing the spread of child porn.

Responding to questions about the filter, commentary website The Punch reports today that US State Department spokesman Noel Clay has raised concerns on the filter plan.

"The US and Australia are close partners on issues related to cyber matters generally, including national security and economic issues," Mr Clay said.

"We do not discuss the details of specific diplomatic exchanges, but can say that in the context of that ongoing relationship, we have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian officials."

A spokeswoman for Senator Conroy declined to comment on Mr Clay's remarks, saying only that the Australian and US governments "liaise regularly on a broad range of issues (and) it would be inappropriate to discuss the details of these consultations".

The federal government's proposed filter is mainly aimed at blocking access to content deemed RC (refused classification), by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

RC typically applies to illegal material such as child sex abuse content, bestiality, and instructions for criminal activity, and the filter would oblige internet service providers to block access to a content blacklist.

Critics, including Google, say the scope of blacklisted material is too wide and it will slow internet speeds in Australia.

Some also worry the restrictions could be applied even to media organisations reporting details of criminal activity.

In January Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flagged the Obama administration's intent to use an open internet to advance its diplomatic goals.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/