Government sets ISP deadline for child abuse Net filters

Posted on 22 May 2006 at 13:11

The UK government has told Internet Service Providers that they have until the end of 2007 to implement filers to block websites that contain illegal images of child abuse.

Home Office Minister Vernon Croaker welcomed the news that the largest ISPs, those that provide 90 per of all domestic broadband connections, will be blocking these sites by then end of this year, but warned the remainder that unless they too voluntarily introduce filters then legislation may be introduced to compel them to do so.

'We recognise the progress that has been made as a result of the industry's commitment and investment so far,' Croaker said in a written answer to a Parliamentary question. 'However, 90 per cent of connections is not enough and we are setting a target that by the end of 2007, all ISPs offering broadband internet connectivity to the UK general public put in place technical measures that prevent their customers accessing websites containing illegal images of child abuse identified by the IWF [Internet Watch Foundation].

He added that new ISPs will be expected to implement measures within nine months of offering their services to the public.

The same technology that ISPs are deploying could also be used to block other websites, the Home Office conceded. It said that although there are currently no plans to use the 2006 Terrorism Act to force service providers to block websites deemed to be 'glorifying terrorism', the legislation 'provides the flexibility to accommodate a change in Government policy should the need ever arise'.

Author: Simon Aughton

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