A new law in Australia take effect January 20, 2008, which imposes age verification on publishes either online or mobile content.

Here are the rules

 Sexually explicit content is prohibited (X18+, and Refused Classification content).

• R18+ content (non-sexually-explicit, but restricted) must be hidden behind a verification service that checks for ages 18 and up.
• So-called “Mature audience” (MA15+) content must also be hidden behind a verification service that checks for ages 15 and up.
• The Act will use “take down,” “service cessation” and “link deletion” notices to force publishers to remove content or access to content that is the subject of a complaint.

 Users will have to supply their full name,  and either a credit card or digital signature.

 The new rules also apply to live chatrooms, which is a whole different problem.

Those subject to the rules are:

 “Hosting service providers, live content service providers, links service providers and commercial content service providers who provide a content service that has an Australian connection.”

Sounds pretty all inclusive.

Seems like censorship to me and similar, less invasive legislation, has been overturned by the courts in the US.

Maybe some of our Australian friends can give us their take on this important issue.