U.K. ISPs Say Online Adult Opt-in Rules Apply Only to New Accounts

LONDON — The four U.K. Internet service providers that plan to adopt opt-in rules to receive online adult content said in a joint statement Tuesday that the provisions only apply to customers taking out new contracts.

In a statement, the ISPs said: "BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media are pleased to have developed and agreed a code of practice, including measures to ensure that customers are provided with an active choice as to whether to activate parental controls in the home."

The four ISPs account for 17.6 million of the 19.2 million broadband customers in the U.K.

"The four ISPs have worked closely with government and a range of stakeholders to swiftly introduce measures addressing recommendations set out in the Bailey report," the ISPs said.

The Bailey report refers to proposals made by Reg Bailey, the CEO of the Mothers Union, a group that has been warning that sexualized imagery is making children grow up too fast.

Bailey spent six months coming up with proposals after he was commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron, who is set to announce the new rules today at a Mothers Union event.

"The ISPs have committed to improve the way they communicate to customers, enabling parents to make simple and well-informed choices about installing and activating parental controls and other measures to protect children online," the ISPs said. "The four ISPs are working with parents' groups and children's charities on this important initiative and will continue to do so."

Two of the ISPs also announced new offerings that are related to the proposal.

BT said new customers will be offered a package of parental control systems provided by security company McAfee, while  TalkTalk will use a service called HomeSafe.

As implemented by TalkTalk, every web location that a customer connects to will be recorded and checked for malicious software, even if they have not opted into the "parental control" system.

Bailey's recommendations in his report go way beyond the Internet, and target TV programs, products, advertisements and services.

Some ideas his report proposes include putting age restrictions on music videos and ensuring retailers offer age-appropriate clothes for children.

Bailey's report asked for government and business to work together on initiatives such as ending the sale of "inappropriately sexy clothing for young children," including underwired bras and T-shirts with suggestive slogans.

He recommended that if retailers do not make progress on selling the "inappropriately sexy clothing" they should be forced to make the changes in 18 months.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have filed a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit asking to stay its recent upholding the law because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

SK Intertainment Launches 'Skinfluential Management' Agency, FansFuel Joint Venture

Mr. Skin/Mr. Man parent company SK Intertainment has launched new creator agency Skinfluential Management, as well as a new joint venture with Showbizz Media's creator stats and affiliate marketing platform, FansFuel.

Industry Attorney, Free Speech Champion Clyde DeWitt Passes Away at 75

Noted industry attorney Clyde DeWitt passed away on Friday in Las Vegas at 75, according to friends and colleagues.

APClips Names Avery Jane 'Creator of the Month'

APClips has named Avery Jane its Creator of the Month for March.

JustFor.fans Offers Gumroad Users Platform to Sell NSFW Artwork

JustFor.fans (JFF) is offering Gumroad users a platform to sell NSFW artwork after the latter banned adult content.

Live Cam Academy Offers Free Access to Educational Resources

Live Cam Academy is offering its educational resources for free to content creators and cam models.

Show More