UK Govt to restrict online porn access

[fr0d0]

I think many of the mobile carriers already have opt-in options for content filtering; I know T-Mobile do because I've seen the setting on my account.

So you're promoting what the government proposes? I think I'd be happy with that. ISPs have similar options. If all operators offered this that would be ideal.

[Tiberius]

So you're promoting what the government proposes? I think I'd be happy with that. ISPs have similar options. If all operators offered this that would be ideal.

This is not what the government proposes.

What the government proposes is opt-out (i.e. you have to opt out of the filter). What the mobile carriers currently do is opt-in (i.e. you have to opt-in to get content filtered).

I wouldn't mind an opt-in system; it makes more sense, since there are likely more households who do not want this filter than there are that do. Plus there is little to no social stigma of phoning up your ISP and saying "I don't want to access porn".

[fr0d0]

I know I was teasing :p

Would you object to having to log in to your ISP control panel and clicking "remove porn filter"?

[Tiberius]

Yes, because they will still have a permanent record of that action. It's a violation of user privacy.

[fr0d0]

Good point. I like it.

I don't see any problem with that. It'd surely level the playing field to force all internet providers to provide the option.

[Doubting Thomas]

I guess it doesn't matter to the UK government about the libertarian idea that if you don't want to access porn at home on your computer, you just don't do it? If you don't want your kids doing it, then put parental controls on your computer or monitor your child's online activity.

I hate nanny states.

[Tiberius]

Good point. I like it.

I don't see any problem with that. It'd surely level the playing field to force all internet providers to provide the option.

If you're going to force an option (which I don't support anyway), why not force an opt-in option where the concerned parents can simply call up their ISP and enable the filter? Why do the rest of the law-abiding public have to be put at a disadvantage over something that doesn't affect us at all?

The reason this is opt-out as far as I can see is that parents are fucking lazy, and can't be bothered to look after their own children, preferring instead to rely on the nanny state.

Of course, the government loves control, and this filter is the beginning of a much wider censorship program. That's my opinion anyway. First it'll be porn, then it'll be violent images, then anti-government or protest sites, etc. The government will say "hey, it's not censorship, you can simply phone up your ISP and get access to the data". Of course, the ISP will then have a list of all people who actively sought out porn, violence, anti-government sites, etc, which they will share with the government (or else). Eventually, the option to opt-out will disappear, and we'll be China. Maybe I'm being too pessimistic, but given the nature of the PRISM program and the similar ones our own GCHQ have, I wouldn't be surprised that this was their intention all along.

[fr0d0]

The reason this is opt-out as far as I can see is that parents are fucking lazy, and can't be bothered to look after their own children, preferring instead to rely on the nanny state.

That's most parents IMO. We pay big money to try to end the cycle. Schools, special schools, school phobic schools, after school.
The reason they lowered the age kids start school in the UK was because they thought the parents were a bad influence.
Plus they want to get more adults working.
8am to 6pm nurseries disturb me.

[Bad Writer]

What the government proposes is opt-out (i.e. you have to opt out of the filter). What the mobile carriers currently do is opt-in (i.e. you have to opt-in to get content filtered).

I wouldn't mind an opt-in system; it makes more sense, since there are likely more households who do not want this filter than there are that do. Plus there is little to no social stigma of phoning up your ISP and saying "I don't want to access porn".

This actually sounds like an agreeable system. So this is how it's going to be? If so, then why the hubbub over here on this thread?

[Nine]

This actually sounds like an agreeable system. So this is how it's going to be? If so, then why the hubbub over here on this thread?

Because they want to do it the other way round. As in having to opt into being able to see porn. Thus putting you on a list of porn watchers.