IWF backs down over Wikipedia row

 

Gallery

Posted on 10 Dec 2008 at 11:10

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has lifted its ban on a blocked Wikipedia web page. In the face of counter action from Wikipedia, and the fact that users have flocked to view the offending image, the body has now removed from its blacklist a page containing an image of a naked 10 year old girl.

The image appeared on the album cover of a 1976 album Virgin Killer, by rock band Scorpions. The related Wikipedia page was blacklisted by the IWF, and subsequently blocked by major ISPs, denying 95 per cent of UK web users access to the page.

IWF claimed that the content was considered to be a "potentially illegal indecent image of a child under the age of 18", but admitted that the move to blacklist the page did not have the desired effect.

"IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect," the body said in a statement.

The IWF also said that upon reviewing the case, the IWF Board said it made the u-turn upon considering the context of the image and the fact that the album cover has existed and been widely available for over 30 years.

"We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users. Wikipedia have been informed of the outcome of this procedure and IWF Board's subsequent decision."

Yesterday, Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, told Channel 4 News that the he was considering challenging the decision to block access to the web page.

"My first thoughts when I was told that the Internet Watch Foundation had blocked the Wikipedia page was that we should take them to court. But because they're not a statutory body, I've been told we can't necessarily challenge their decision."

"The Internet Watch Foundation were clearly over reaching their remit when the blocked the text page on Wikipedia - there's nothing illegal about the description of the album. I'd also question their wisdom about trying to block the image itself."

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota