[Reader-list] Filtering co. nixes library filters

[Menso Heus]

Hi all,

The issue raised in the article that filtering software doesn't do what it should
is quite a relevant one. For some time now there has been a group of people on 
the net operating under the name PeaceFire.org who publish lists of sites that get 
blocked by filtering software showing that completely legite sites are blocked 
as well.

You can visit the PeaceFire.org website and have a look at their findings, also, be
a good little netizen and sign up as a member so that you get their mailinglist and
if you can miss the money, donate the $15 and get a PeaceFire t-shirt (great for 
wearing when visiting Internet conferences where these filtering companies have stands :)
These guys are doing quite some important work imho and if you can it's nice to support
them.

Menso

On Fri, Jun 08, 2001 at 11:07:47AM -0700, Nilanjana Roy wrote:
> This one raises some interesting issues--apologies if you've already read the story. 
> Nilanjana S. Roy
> 
> Thursday June 7, 3:52 AM
> 
> SurfControl Opposes Mass. Mandatory Net Filtering Effort
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 2001 JUN 6 (NB) -- By David McGuire, Newsbytes.
> 
> SurfControl - one of the world's largest manufacturers of Internet filtering and monitoring products - this week said it openly opposes an effort in Massachusetts to force libraries to use filtering technology. 
> 
> "We do think that schools and indeed libraries should consider using filtering (products), but we've always, since 1995, thought that it should be a choice," Surf Control Vice President of Home and Education Markets Susan Getgood said today. 
> 
> Because SurfControl maintains an office and a substantial presence in Massachusetts, the company felt that it was important "as a filtering company" to go on record in opposition to the mandatory filtering effort, Getgood said. 
> 
> Massachusetts lawmakers appear to still be in the very early stages of debating a proposal that would require all public libraries in the state to use filtering software. 
> 
> Getgood said that the mandatory filtering debate - whether at the state or federal level - too often disintegrates into an argument over whether filtering technology indeed works the way it is intended. 
> 
> Getgood disputes the arguments made by some filtering opponents that software such as CyberPatrol - one of SurfControl's proprietary products - filter either too much information or not enough. 
> 
> Modern filters can discern between porn sites and those providing information about breast cancer, Getgood said. 
> 
> "Filters work extremely well at helping schools and libraries manage Internet access for a whole host of reasons," Getgood said. 
> 
> Because school and library administrators are aware of filtering technology, and are - in a growing number of instances - using that technology, the filtering industry neither wants, nor needs a federal mandate requiring that their products be used, Getgood said. 
> 
> First Amendment attorney Jon Katz, who has fought against mandatory filtering efforts, speculated today that SurfControl could be using the announcement as a way to "get some free marketing," but added that regardless of the motive he welcomes the company's opposition to mandatory filtering. 
> 
> Getgood warned lawmakers not to pass legislation that she said could do more harm than good. 
> 
> "We know that technology is always changing and if you pin yourself down to something too tightly in law, you aren't going to be able to achieve your goal." 
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Personal Address - Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
-- 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
We don't know, but rather suspect that twelve-sided dice are involved 
somewhere.... 	 	- TheRegister.co.uk on Scientology
---------------------------------------------------------------------