July 5, 2011 | Online

Some hackers do good

Some hackers just like to cause a little mischief. Others like to see how far they can get without getting caught. And still others want to change the world.

These so-called hacktivists may have started to make their mark. At least one Australian ISP, Telstra, is reconsidering plans to begin blocking illegal websites next month fearing reprisals from what it is calling “internet vigilantes.”

The ISP was voluntarily planning to police the activites of its customers, promising to filter content in July. What it would filter, who decided, and how illegal sites were determined was being kept a heavily guarded secret.

“One option being considered is the blocking of a list of illegal child sexual abuse sites identified as being the worst globally by international policing body Interpol,” she said, admitting the company was backing down from a more aggressive plan.

The Australian government had wanted to force all ISPs to filter content. The plan, however, was dropped back in May after various groups objected, fearing content deemed offensive but not illegal would be targeted as well.

Hacktivists Force Pause in Australian Net Censorship  [Wall Street Journal]