What is the Chief Censor up to?

InternetNZ have said:

InternetNZ is surprised and bemused by recent comments from the Chief Censor that he is considering “prosecuting” Slingshot over its GlobalMode service that enabled Internet users to access sites that were otherwise blocked in New Zealand.

Whether Slingshot’s global mode does or does not breach copyright is a civil issue, not an issue for the Chief Censor.

Yes some people may use it to access material not classified for NZ, just as millions of NZers use You Tube to view videos not classified for NZ.

InternetNZ does not believe that an Internet Service Provider is responsible for what its customers do on the Internet and that to suggest otherwise creates a bizarre world where Internet providers are held up to a different standard to other utility suppliers.

InternetNZ CEO Jordan Carter says that CallPlus has every right to provide this service. “The courts have not decided that the service is illegal,” he says. Comments from the Censor would seem to single out ISPs for special treatment, and that isn’t good for the Internet or for Internet users.

 “I don’t recall the Censor making similar claims when NZ Post started YouShop, enabling customers to order items that were unavailable in NZ and have them delivered to a phoney address in the United States.

The Chief Censor is at risk of massively over-stepping his role. His role is not to act to protect the commercial business models of NZ distributors. It is not his role to promote regional geo-blocking.

If the Chief Censor does try to prosecute Slingshot, then I’ll happily donate to their legal fees.