PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Major British ISPs have downplayed claims that a new government policy mandating a so-called ‘porn filter’ will have much impact, pointing out that the changes do not affect the millions of existing customers.
The Prime Minister David Cameron speaking at a seminar on the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood, said that children were ‘growing up too early’ and hailed moves by major ISPs to make access to pornography online on an opt-in basis.
However major ISPs moved to point out that the changes would have little effect. A TalkTalk representative told the Guardian that "customers will have to choose one or the other, but we won’t be making either one the default."
In a joint statement the major ISPs of TalkTalk, Virgin, BT and Sky, describes the jointly developed code of practice as an ‘active choice’ rather than an ‘opt in’. New customers will need to indicate whether they want a full unfiltered feed or otherwise.
PCR understands that at least one ISP, Virgin Media, will simply offer client side software to perform content filtering if customers choose a connection with parental access controls.
The Prime Minister also welcomed a new website called www.parentport.org.uk which will accept complaints about any media program, advert or product that parents feel is inappropriate for children.
The site will direct complaints to appropriate regulators and is expected to be run by the Advertising Standards Authority, Ofcom, BBFC and the BBC Trust among others.
