Tçnâ koe Danson ,
 
Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs (the
Department) on 9 October 2024
 
The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as
practicable and within twenty working days.  The 20th working day is 7
November 2024.   
 
Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides
information that is identified to be of general public interest, the
response may also be published on the Department’s website.  If the
Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all personal
information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.
 
Ngâ mihi,
 
Logan
-----Original Message-----
From: Danson Stevens <[1][FOI #28710 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 9:45 PM
To: OIA <[2][DIA request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - DCEFS using IWF
 
[You don't often get email from
[3][FOI #28710 email]. Learn why this is
important at [4]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
 
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
 
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