ISPs to include porn filters as default in the UK by 2014

LateX'Dog

LateX'Dog

LateX'Dog

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Parental filters for pornographic content will come as a default setting for all homes in the UK by the end of 2013, says David Cameron's special advisor on preventing the sexualization and commercialization of childhood, Claire Perry MP.

Internet service providers (ISP) will be expected to provide filtering technology to new and existing customers with an emphasis on opting out, rather than opting in.

"[In the UK] we will have filters where if you do nothing, the parental filters will come pre-ticked," said Perry, speaking at a Westminster eForum on 14 June.

The move is part of a government effort to force ISPs to make filtering a standard option across industry and to make the technology easier for consumers to use. As ISPs are voluntarily rolling out filtering technology, it will require no new legislation or regulations.

It had previously been feared that the government would force ISPs to block access to pornographic content unless a consumer specifically requested it.

Companies like TalkTalk have forced new consumers to make a choice about parental filters since March 2012. It recently began doing the same with existing customers and 20,000 enabled filtering in the first week. Speaking at the event, TalkTalk's Head of Public Affairs Alexandra Birtles said that a third of their customers have filtering enabled.

Perry said parents were "complacent" about the risks of online pornography, pointing out that only four in 10 parents use some kind of Internet filtering at home.

Features such as time-limited deactivation of filtering and email updates when filter settings are changed are expected to become widespread. "We will have automatic put on, so if you turn the filter off at 9pm, it turns on again at 7am," said Perry.
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http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/06/isps-to-include-porn-filters-as-standard-in-uk-by-2014/

And so it begins. Once the door is open, you'll never shut it.
 
I would say that the default filtering option doesn't seem great - I'd prefer it to be default none filtering - but then again the option to filter already exists at the moment and parent groups still moan....

So maybe it should be an enforced choice... no default option on either side but you must actively select either filtering or non-filtering when taking up or renewing a broadband contract as part of the contract.
 
dowie said:
I would say that the default filtering option doesn't seem great - I'd prefer it to be default none filtering - but then again the option to filter already exists at the moment and parent groups still moan....

So maybe it should be an enforced choice... no default option on either side but you must actively select either filtering or non-filtering when taking up or renewing a broadband contract as part of the contract.
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Isn't the failings to protect your children from porn the parents fault and not something the government should be getting involved with?
 
I'm of the opinion that this should be done by parents, not enforced by the government or the internet service providers.

If parents are worried about their children seeing porn on the internet then filter the content or do not leave your child alone on the internet.

There are worse things on the internet than porn to be fair, why are they targeting porn? Why not all 'adult' material? or 18+ content?
 
Great, another example of shifting the blame from bad parents and forcing it on the rest of society. Ignorance is not an excuse, there's plenty of information not to mention 'common knowledge'.

I sometimes wonder if we should have some sort of sterilisation program for idiots.

Tummy said:
There are worse things on the internet than porn to be fair, why are they targeting porn? Why not all 'adult' material? or 18+ content?
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Because it's easy to make it such a sensational topic. Ignore the violence in the news and on TV, in the movies and all around. That's fine. People getting blown up is cool for kids to watch, but as soon as nipple appears, it's the end of the world.
 
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LateX'Dog said:
Isn't the failings to protect your children from porn the parents fault and not something the government should be getting involved with?
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It is yes but you assume they know more than the children which in this case they don't so are always on the backfoot with technology.

The Internet is totally uncensored it needs to be in some way just as any other media is.
 
Like the 3g networks, where i couldn't visit some of the websites i go to that are politically incorrect because they were deemed unsafe for children by some secret panel. I then had to contact 3g network isp and ask them to remove the block and then I was able to visit my non politically correct websites.

You can be sure websites like wikileaks will make it on to the block list.

its for the kids...
 
maccapacca said:
The Internet is totally uncensored it needs to be in some way just as any other media is.
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That's pretty much the point of the internet, though.

Just because idiot parents can't do basic parenting, doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer for it.

Maybe we should force breathalyser tests when you buy alcohol because some people abuse it and do terrible things.
 
maccapacca said:
It is yes but you assume they know more than the children which in this case they don't so are always on the backfoot with technology.

The Internet is totally uncensored it needs to be in some way just as any other media is.
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There your children, they are your responsibility. If you don't understand the thing there using, you go and understand it.
 
Gackt said:
Just because idiot parents can't do basic parenting, doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer for it.
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Look outside your little world, some parents don't know what an ISP is, how their router works, how the internet works or anything about PCs how are they meant to be able to install and monitor software when they wouldn't know the first the thing about it all.

Tummy said:
I don't think the internet should be censored.
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I think they need to lighten the word censored, it's not an all out ban just the right stuff to the right ages, plus 18 do what you want but a 8 yr old shouldn't be one click away from hardcore sub dom pornography.
 
Wonder what else they'll start blocking now that the flood gates are open.
Still, glad to see we're pandering to the uneducated masses! Great news... Sigh.
 
The porn blocking doesn't bother me as I'm not into it, but what does bother me is that we're getting closer to 1984 by the day. Alcohol for instance is up to the parents to educate their children about addiction issues. So the same should go with pr0n. Use NetNanny or CyberPatrol (quoting late 1990s here so software names may have changed). Most 13 year old kids know about proxies spoofing a different country so resistance is futile and all that jazz, but still it's the gov'ts sticking their oar in that irks me.

What will the gov't block next? Web sites of breweries?

Oh, Tesco groceries web site. I can no longer order that bottle of gin. I got to phone up my ISP first :rolleyes:
 
maccapacca said:
Look outside your little world, some parents don't know what an ISP is, how their router works, how the internet works or anything about PCs how are they meant to be able to install and monitor software when they wouldn't know the first the thing about it all.
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If I did not want my child to view material that I felt was unsuitable, I would stop or prevent them doing so. I don't want the government interfering.

maccapacca said:
I think they need to lighten the word censored, it's not an all out ban just the right stuff to the right ages, plus 18 do what you want but a 8 yr old shouldn't be one click away from hardcore sub dom pornography.
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No, the internet should remain uncensored.
 
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