ISPs: Internet Porn Block Not Viable

Vaizey’s request to have porn websites blocked by default faces objection from ISPs, who describe the plan as technically impossible.

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey urged ISPs to censor adult material on home computers by default, after expressing concern over children’s exposure to online pornography in an interview with The Sunday Times.

“Unfortunately, it’s technically not possible to completely block this stuff,” said Trefor Davies, chief technology officer at ISP Timico, explaining that the huge amount of pornographic content and the various means of accessing it are the major obstacles.

Children’s exposure to online porn

The censor plan came after Conservative MP Claire Perry suggested that ISPs apply an age rating system to pornographic sites earlier in November.

“Four in every five children aged 14 to 16 admitted to regularly accessing explicit photographs and footage,” Perry wrote on the Politics.co.uk website.

Describing children’s exposure to adult content as “a very serious matter”, Vaizey is hoping to see ISPs employ the opt-in system voluntarily, but hinted that the government might legislate if they fail to comply.

“We’re are keeping an eye on the situation and we will have a new communications bill in the next couple of years,” he said.

Adult supervision

The government’s current plan is to discuss age verification with major broadband firms, including BT, Virgin Media and Talk Talk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Lansman, secretary general of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA), suggested that parents and carers should monitor children’s access to the Internet by using the tools ISPs provide.

“Blocking lawful pornography content … will lead to the blocking of access to legitimate content and is only effective in preventing inadvertent access,” explained Lansman, who added that ISPs currently block child abuse content which is illegal and “widely regarded as abhorrent”.