Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

My name is Mason and about 3 weeks ago I was browsing the internet as I usually do. I accidentally opened a web page that, unbeknownst to me, obviously contained "objectionable" material and was blocked from viewing by the New Zealand internet filters. I did not view the content of the website as the filter prevented that from happening, but the page showed the definition of "objectionable" material according to the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993 and a notice stating that my IP address was recorded. Since then I have been anxious and worried that further action could be taken against me, as I might seem like a pedophile or someone attempting to access prohibited material, even though I am not. It was a total accident visiting the blocked page, and I hope it will never happen to me again. I understand that such situations could commonly arise on the internet, but if you could tell me if any action like tracking my IP address or analysing my computer for objectionable material is likely to happen as a result of this incident that would be great. Thanks heaps.

Yours faithfully,

Mason

Dear Craig Press,

Thank you for your reply. I have read through it multiple times, and one thing is bugging me. You say that the DCEFS does not record a person's IP address, but the blocking page I viewed definitely said that it was, and it also listed my IP address and that I was located in Timaru. I now have a feeling that the filter page was run or enforced by someone other than the Department of Internal Affairs. I also noticed the Department is aware of internet scams in the form of fake blocking pages that have no origin or authority from the Department. I believe I have visited a fake blocking page. Does the Department know if these have the potential to be a threat eg IP tracking, viruses, illegal inquiries etc. Could you also please provide me with some more information about these scams?

Yours sincerely,

Mason