The Guardian reports that whistleblowing website Wikileaks has gone offline just hours after publishing what appeared to be a complete list of the websites banned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The list appeared to show all the websites that those living in Australia are prohibited from accessing by the domestic authorities, but the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, moved to say the list was not authentic earlier today.Conroy said the list contained some common URLs, but that it also contained a number of links his organisation had not investigated or received a complaint about. He also went on to say whoever leaked the information could face criminal prosecution.
According to Forbes, the scope of Australia’s internet censorship has already developed far beyond its initial aim to block child pornography and web pages associated with terrorism.