Download an internet content filter

Terms and Conditions for access and use of internet content filters

1. Acceptance of terms and conditions of use

   The internet content filter available through this website is:

   • developed by third party filter vendors (and not the Australian Government); and
   • being provided by the Australian Government to persons residing in Australia "as is" and free of charge as part of the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative.

2. Disclaimer

   To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Australian Government:

   • makes no representations or warranties express or implied in relation to the download, installation, operation or effectiveness of the internet content filter (including its interaction and compatibility with other aspects of your computer system); and
   • will not be liable in any way for any loss or damage whatsoever that you may incur arising from or in connection with the internet content filter or its download, installation, use or performance.

3. Licensing

   You acknowledge that the Australian Government does not have any rights whatsoever in the internet content filter, has not assigned or attempted to assign to you any rights in any internet content filter and has not licensed or authorised you in any way to exercise or use any such rights for any purpose.
   You acknowledge that, before you are able to download and/or install the internet content filter, you may be required to enter into an End User Agreement with the filter vendor or licensor of the internet content filter product.

4. Indemnity

   You must not, and must not permit any other person, to copy or install any internet content filter you have accessed under the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative on any other person's computer. Where another person wishes to access an internet content filter you should direct them to this website.
   You indemnify the Australian Government from and against any claims made against it by a third party who you cause or permit to come into possession of the internet content filter.

5. Other terms and conditions

   Nothing contained in these terms and conditions affects the Australian Government's rights, ability or obligation to comply with all applicable regulations or the directions or requests of any regulatory or law enforcement authority relating to use or access to this web site, the internet content filter, or information provided to or gathered by the Australian Government (or a third party on our behalf) with respect to that use or access.
   Any part of these terms and conditions which is unenforceable or partly unenforceable is, where possible, to be read down (or if not possible, severed) to the extent necessary to make these terms and conditions (and if possible that part) enforceable.
   These terms and conditions are governed by the laws in force in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

1. The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

   The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) is the key law designed to safeguard personal information collected by Australian Government agencies. Australian Government agencies must comply with the Information Privacy Principles in section 14 of the Privacy Act when collecting, using and disclosing your personal information. More information about the Privacy Act can be obtained from the Privacy Commissioner's website (www.privacy.gov.au). All personal information collected on this site is protected by the Privacy Act.

2. Your Information and How We Use It

   The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) is collecting your information in this form for the purposes of determining your eligibility for and supporting your request to access the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative.

   Your email address and other personal information will be recorded for the purposes of you obtaining an internet content filter and associated support, including for auditing purposes. This may include using the information you provide to email or mail out information on changes to the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative, or in relation to patches and updates to internet content filters. If you request significant numbers of internet content filters you may be contacted to confirm that your use of the filters is consistent with the objectives of the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative. DBCDE may also use the information you provide for the purposes of assessing the effectiveness of the program and may contact you for this purpose. Your email address will not be added to any other mailing lists unless you ask us to do so.

   Information collected may also be provided to third party filter vendors involved in the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative for these purposes. A list of these organisations is available by contacting DBCDE.

   Except where it is necessary for the performance of our functions and is authorised or required by law, or with your consent, we will not use your personal information for any other purpose or disclose it to any other person.

   Filter vendors may also request your email address and other information when you download or install an internet content filter. Filter vendors are also bound by the Privacy Act. If you have any questions in relation to this process, further information may be obtained by contacting DBCDE.

3. Automated Data Collection

   • DBCDE will not attempt to identify users or their browsing activities from this data except, in the unlikely event of an audit or investigation, where another Australian Government agency or a law enforcement agency may exercise its authority or powers to inspect the internet service provider's logs.

     Data that in some way identifies the user is gathered during interactions with the web site in the following circumstances:

   • Computer Information

     It is a necessary part of visiting any website, including this site, that the user's web browser provides the machine's identity (its IP-address) to the web-server, so that the server can address the reply to the correct machine. In addition, the browser type and operating system are provided.

   • Navigation and Click-Stream Data

     Browsing any website, including this site, generates a trail of the pages that are visited, and the time apparently spent displaying each page.

   • Data Storage, Use and Disclosure, and Retention

     All personal data described in the preceding section is stored in transmission logs, and archived for a period that is yet to be determined but is likely to be at least 12 months and quite probably 7 years.

     The data is used by site software, and by staff involved in the DBCDE operation, only for:

     • website and system administration, including monitoring to prevent security breaches;
     • customisation of the web site to the user's needs; and
     • evaluation, research and development

     Identified data can only be re-disclosed to the user if the user provides the unique request session number. Identified data may be disclosed to a third party only in circumstances in which it is legally authorised, such as in the investigation of a criminal offence, and in compliance with a search warrant or subpoena.

4. Security

   You should be aware that information transmitted over the internet is not entirely secure. In particular, when you send us an email, or submit feedback using our feedback form, the content as it is transferred across the internet may not be secure and may be subject to access by third parties. DBCDE has taken measures to protect the security of your information but can not guarantee that it will not be accessed or used by other third parties.

   You should contact DBCDE immediately if you have any concerns about the security of information that you have provided. For further information on the security measures please contact DBCDE.

5. User Feedback

   We seek feedback from our users in order to improve the service offered by this site. Answering feedback questions is voluntary and does not in any way affect your access to this site. DBCDE will not disclose this feedback to any third party, other than as required by law.

6. Access and Further Information

   Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to access and correct any personal information held about you by DBCDE or its contractors. To access your personal information held by DBCDE, or to contact DBCDE in respect of any issues raised in this privacy statement call 1800 880 176 (8am -10pm in your local time zone, for callers in Australia only. Free call for landline calls, usual charges apply to mobiles and payphones.)