U.K. Adopts Porn Opt-Out Filtering Plan

LONDON — The U.K. has settled its long debated issue of how to police Internet porn adopting a new plan that will make parental filters a default setting in all homes by 2014.

Under the plan, ISPs will provide users with an “opt-out” plan according to Prime Minister David Perry’s special advisor, Member of Parliament Claire Perry.

The move puts to rest the niggling issue between the government; ISPs and people concerned with parental control and forced Internet censorship. But the resolution has not come without some controvery.

Critics in favor of an “opt-in” system are already complaining that the opt-out filter automatically turns back on at 7 a.m. — even if turned off the night before.

"[In the UK] we will have filters where if you do nothing, the parental filters will come pre-ticked," Perry said at a Westminster eForum. “We will have automatic put on, so if you turn the filter off at 9 p.m., it turns on again at 7 a.m.”

Although spearheaded by the government, because the new plan is being put into place by ISPs, it will not require new laws or legislation, calming some concern by critics that feared forced blocking of access and censorship by the government.

Some ISPs have already taken the initiative to establish parental filters.TalkTalk last year gave users a filtering choice, and according to company spokesperson Alexandra Birtles, more than a third of its customers have filtering enabled.

But conservative member Perry, who has been pushing for strict controls, said parents were "complacent" about online porn, pointing out that only four in 10 parents use some kind of Internet filtering at home.

Perry also confirmed that the government is moving ahead with plans to establish porn-free Wi-Fi networks.

Despite the new efforts, ArsTechnica.com pointed out that porn can still be accessed via mobile and peer-to-peer networks, and sites like reddit and Imgur, as well as porn created by young people themselves.

Related:  

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

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

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 pursue antitrust claims 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 petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision 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) has issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s new 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.

Show More