United Kingdom: Government to consult with ISPs on blocking online porn

04 May 12 | Index Index, minipost, United Kingdom

The coalition government has announced plans to consult with internet service providers on new measures to block online adult material in the UK. Under the plans it would be up to customers to opt in if they wish to view pornography on the internet when they sign up for a broadband contract. Currently most ISPs offer a range of filters and tools that have to be set up by the user to block such content.

France: Court orders French “cop watching” site to be blocked

17 Oct 11 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

A court in France has ruled that internet service providers must block access to a “cop watching” web site. The website, Copwatch Nord Paris I-D-F, shows pictures and videos of police officers arresting suspects, taunting protesters and allegedly committing acts of violence against members of ethnic minorities, was deemed to incite violence against the police. Free speech advocates have said that the ruling restricted internet freedoms. The first complaint against the site was filed by a Paris police officer who received a bullet in his mailbox after his picture had appeared on the site.

UK: Culture Secretary calls for ISPs to offer parental filtering option

14 Sep 11 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is to call on internet service providers to offer greater security to parents. In a speech at the Royal Television society tonight, Hunt will announce that the government will be looking at protection of children from harmful online content. The government, Hunt will say, would like to see parents have an “active choice”, with ISPs offering users a filtering option to households signing up to accounts.

Ofcom research suggests that just over 40 per cent of households with children currently use filtering software.