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On 20 August 2007 the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts launched its NetAlert website, providing Australian households, schools and libraries with access to free internet filters, information to educate parents about online dangers and details of a telephone helpline offering information and support. The NetAlert website forms part of the Department's $189 million Protecting Australian Families Online initiative, which aims to combine services, education, regulation and policing to tackle "the dangerous side of the internet".

Under the National Filter Scheme, Australians may download their choice of a number of PC-based internet filter products from the NetAlert portal. The filters automatically block prohibited internet content in websites and web pages (as classified by the Australian Communications and Media Authority), as well as identifying and filtering other inappropriate content, including offensive email and chat room content. The level of sensitivity of the filters can be tailored for individual profiles. The filters also contain a variety of extra features such as usage reports and instant alerts when access to inappropriate content is attempted, and filter vendors are required to continually make enhancements to their products available to all Australian end users throughout the life of the Scheme. A telephone helpline is available to provide support and advice to parents and other end users.

More than 850 free internet filters were downloaded within 12 hours of the launch of the Scheme.

Blake Dawson Waldron Lawyers

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