TalkTalk Apologizes for Blocking Lib Dem LGBT Site

LONDON — U.K. ISP TalkTalk has issued an apology for blocking access to the Liberal Democrat’s official LGBT website.

PinkNews reported yesterday that the site had been filtered by TalkTalk’s recently implemented HomeSafe feature.

“The blocking of our own website shows that the ‘Great Firewall of Britain’ is turning out to be the disaster many of us warned it would be,” said Adrian Trett, the chair of LGBT + Liberal Democrats.

Trett continued, “[If] LGBT resources are targeted disproportionately, then ISPs are probably exposing themselves to legal challenge under the Equality Act too, as well as possible criminal liability for blocking a political web site during an election period.”

A TalkTalk spokesperson thanked PinkNews and offered this response, “…Clearly this website should not have been classified in this way and we have lifted the block. We’ve always been clear that there will be a small number of websites which are filtered in error, as unfortunately no filtering solution can ever be 100 percent perfect, and we’ve a simple one click reporting button that anyone can use to tell us if they think this is the case.”

The rep added that its HomeSafe filter is still evolving and welcomes future feedback.

PinkNews has since reported that ISP BT offers patrons the explicit choice to filter gay and lesbian sites and even a separate option for blocking sexual health sites.

Yesterday Sex & Censorship Founder Jerry Barnett penned an open letter to MP Claire Perry, an ardent supporter of default porn filters, in which he warned of the impending collateral damage that they would cause.

Barnett wrote, “You had been warned that the first experiment in filtering for ‘child protection’ on mobile networks had been a catastrophe. It is simply not possible to classify hundreds of millions of websites as either ‘safe’ or ‘over 18’ without making vast numbers of mistakes. Yes, it’s pretty easy to block most commercial porn (in fact those sites voluntarily self-label as adult content), but in between kink.com and disney.com there is a near-infinite amount of hard-to-classify content.

“Much of the content and many of the forums on sex education, sex advice, gay and lesbian advice, information on sexual infections, and so on, is aimed at teenagers, and yet has been largely blocked from mobile phones held by under-18s.”

Adult content filtering is now turned on by default for new U.K. customers of three of the four major ISPs — TalkTalk, Sky and BT. Virgin plans to launch its own network-level porn filter before the new year, making it the last big ISP to bow to Prime Minister David Cameron' s demands.

By the end of 2014, all existing U.K. broadband customers will be forced to choose whether or not to install porn filters on their Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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

Bree Mills Unpacks Power, Pain and Family Ties in New Pure Taboo Film

Bell is shooting a scene for “The Secrets We Share,” a new feature from Pure Taboo and Adult Time — and moments like this remind the crew that they are not out to make just another adult movie.

Cubbi Thompson Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Cubbi Thompson stars with Keiran Lee in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Slippery Business."

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Adult Time Drops Bree Mills' 'Hard Stop Reunion' Documentary, New Scene

Adult Time has released a documentary feature on the recent Bree Mills-helmed drama “Hard Stop” as well as a new cast orgy scene, titled “Hard Stop Reunion Orgy.”

Gal Ritchie Performs Her 1st Anal for Brazzers

Gal Ritchie performs her first anal scene alongside Ricky Johnson in the latest Brazzers release, titled “Say Hello to My Little Arsehole.”

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Elegant Angel Premieres Jennifer White Showcase 'Hollywood Whore'

Jennifer White gets the spotlight in a new six-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Autumn Rain Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Autumn Rain stars with Little Puck in “Playtime with a TS MILF,” from TransSensual.

Show More