UK's Sky Broadband To Filter Adult Content By Default

[engine]

Somehow, I have this feeling that many people in the UK will not be aware of this switch, and will find sites they visit blocked. Remember, the problem has already arisen where many sites are categorised incorrectly.

I can imagine many calls to the helplines.

Sky Broadband customers take note --Sky will shortly start blocking adult content by default, unless you opt out.

The broadcasting behemoth has had a web filter, dubbed Sky Broadband Shield, on offer for some time. "What we're doing now," explains Sky's Lyssa McGowan in a blog post, "is simply making sure that the automatic position of Sky Broadband Shield is the safest one for all - that's 'on', unless customers choose otherwise."UK's Sky Broadband To Filter Adult Content By Default [cnet.com]

Earlier story.

UK ISP Site Filters: Government To Create Whitelist [webmasterworld.com]

[graeme_p]

In other words people have to register the fact that they want to watch #*$!!

IN fact the filters are a lot wider than #*$!. They also block a wide range of other sites:

[torrentfreak.com ]

The site linked to above used to be blocked, but was unblocked after the BBC asked Sky why it was blocked.

[engine]

Exactly my point, graeme_p, site blocking is not under your control.

A site, that shall remain nameless, was blocked by this new system and it was a site for adults, not children, but not something anyone reading here would classify as worthy of filtering.

Mistakes happen, and I think this is only going to frustrate many.

[piatkow]

Wait for the fuss when they block a scout troop or church website in Sc*nth*rp* or P*n*st*n*!

At the minimum there should be a facility to check your site against their filters.

[engine]

Now, it seems the bandwagon is moving forward.

The internet service provider TalkTalk has said customers will automatically receive filtered access to the internet unless they opt out.

In a blog post, TalkTalk said it would prompt customers to review their settings every 12 months.

BT and Virgin have yet to reveal any proposals for automatic filters.TalkTalk adult filters now on by default [bbc.co.uk]

[topr8]

i'm glad my ISP is small/independent and completely open... all content, all ports.

[engine]

I'm intrigued to know whether they have sorted out the filters yet. When it was first announced it was rather over-aggressive.

[Samizdata]

From yesterday's Observer:

A website discussing the legalisation of cannabis found itself blocked, as did several small wine dealers, said Pam Cowburn of the transparency campaign Open Rights Group. Last year research by the group found that 54 registered charities had their websites blocked by one or another of the filters.

Several were offering support and services to young people escaping abuse or alcohol dependency. One such charity, Alcohol Support, based in Aberdeen, called it a “big brother” approach.

“It’s still a problem; it isn’t being tackled in the rush to block what is deemed unsuitable.

“But it’s very simplistic: URLs with Sussex or Essex in them, for example, are blocked. It’s arbitrary and a blunt tool.

...

[topr8]

i do think it a good idea ultimately though ... certainly good for their advertising, as they can push the whole family friendly, we're looking after you image.

the danger is when opting to bypass the filters at some point in the future becomes unavailable. i predict that will be the case one day.

[piatkow]

the danger is when opting to bypass the filters at some point in the future becomes unavailable. i predict that will be the case one day.

The ISP's ideal is a walled garden where sites will pay to be included.

[engine]

There's a certain level of stigmatisation involved in the way that the filters are being set to on. Anyone choosing to turn them off may be seen as a bad person in the eyes of the authorities. If it were the other way around, ie, set to off, and you choose to turn it on, there's perfect sense in that way round, imho.

Either way, i'm still concerned about the filtering. Eventually, it'll come to my isp and i'll cross that bridge when i get to it. In the meantime, if your site is blocked unfairly, unless i have misunderstood it, you have to go to each ISP to get it unblocked. The censorship lists are all different, and are in the hands of each ISP: Private companies.