Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

I am writing to express my concerns about the upcoming updates to the DCEFS web filter, particularly regarding the integration of filters from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). I have several concerns and questions related to these changes and their potential implications of wrongful censorship.

Under the Official Information Act, I seek the following information regarding the incoming changes to the DCEFS web filter:

1. The IWF web filter has come under scrutiny for incorrectly blocking access to legal and legitimate information and websites. A notable instance of this was the blacklisting of a Wikipedia article about the Scorpions' 1976 album "Virgin Killer," which prevented affected users from accessing Wikipedia altogether. Are there any plans to adjust the IWF filter to minimize false positives and ensure broader access to accurate information?

2. Are there any planned changes to the Independent Reference Group? If so, will the IRG have the authority to unblock websites that have been mistakenly, wrongfully, or maliciously blocked by the IWF filter?

3. Will Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have the option to opt out of the IWF filter while maintaining the legacy DCEFS filter?

4. Will the legacy DCEFS filter continue to exist and still implement blocks on newly reported Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Child Exploitation Material (CSEM)?

5. In light of recent trends in various countries towards censorship of dissenting views and other restrictions, what measures are in place to prevent potential wrongful censorship through the new filtering system?

6. Is there any possibility of internet users' privacy being negatively affected by these changes?

Yours faithfully,

Danson Stevens