U.K. ISPs Hijacking Browsers to Force Porn-Filter Choice

LONDON — Virgin Media, BT and Sky are hijacking web connections to force U.K. customers to make decisions about porn filters, according to a report by Wired.

The ISPs are taking over the browsers of undecided customers as an end-of-the-month deadline imposed by Prime Minister David Cameron looms.

Under the guise of preventing underage exposure to porn, Cameron rolled out his Internet filtering plan in 2013, with ISPs designated to do the dirty work.

For the past year-and-a-half, ISPs have been asking users to opt out if they do not want explicit web pages automatically blocked.

Now, the ISPs are making certain they have an answer from all undecided customers.

The hijacking works by intercepting requests for unencrypted websites and redirecting users to a different page, according to Wired.

BT is taking its policy one step further by blocking people's browsers until they make a decision, making it impossible for customers to visit any websites once the in-browser notification has appeared. The message will remain until the customer makes a decision.

Sky is hijacking browser sessions to ask customers if they want to turn on its Sky Broadband Shield filter, but unlike BT Sky won't disconnect or block customers if they refused to make a decision.

Sky, however, plan to turn web filters on automatically for any undecided customers sometime next year.

Virgin has no plans to disconnect or block customers who didn't make a decision

Another ISP, TalkTalk, isn't displaying notifications, but it is placing an in-browser notice when customers check details of their account.

All four ISPs outsource their web filtering to other firms that use a combination of block lists and automated content detection to decide if a website is "inappropriate" or not.

A spokesman for the Open Rights Group (ORG) told Wired that there are better ways for ISPs to contact their customers, particularly since that they have customer phone numbers, email and actual home and business addresses.

ORG, founded in 2005, is a member of European Digital Rights and is billed as the U.K.’s leading voice defending freedom of expression, privacy, innovation, creativity and consumer rights on the Internet.

"How can a customer tell the difference between an ISP hijack and a phishing site made to look the same?" the ORG spokesman told Wired.

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

Eroutique Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Eroutique has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Update: Pornhub Will Not Block Ohio, Despite AV Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo will not block access to its websites in Ohio, despite new state age verification rules that came into effect Sept. 30.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'ADHD-Friendly' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers with ADHD.

Judge Dismisses Some Claims in 'Children of Pornhub' Trafficking Suit

A United States district judge on Friday dismissed some but not all claims against Aylo in a long-running case involving CSAM allegations featured in the influential 2020 New York Times article “The Children of Pornhub.”

FSC Sets Key Dates, Qualifiers for December Board of Directors Election

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) today announced key dates and qualifiers for its upcoming Board of Directors election.

RedGIFs Launches New 'Studio' Creator Platform

RedGIFs has launched its new Studio creator platform.

Arcom to Expand AV Enforcement to Smaller Adult Sites

The president of French media regulator Arcom revealed on Thursday that the agency plans to escalate its enforcement of age verification rules to include smaller adult sites, starting in late 2025 or early 2026.

AEBN Publishes Report on MILF, Cougar Trends

AEBN has published a report on MILF and Cougar categories from its straight theaters.

Pornhub to Shut Down Access in Arizona Over Age Verification

Aylo will geoblock Pornhub across Arizona starting Sept. 26, when the state’s age verification law, HB 2112, goes into effect.

Flirtback Embraces Crypto With Zcash Payments

Creator platform Flirtback has launched its Zcash (ZEC) crypto payment solution.

Show More