UK ‘Porn Filter’ blocks legitimate file-sharing services, download portals for Linux distributions

[Egonny]

[t]http://torrentfreak.com/images/sky-tf-blocked.jpg[/t]
[quote][b]UK Prime Minister David Cameron wants all Internet providers to block porn by default, to protect the children. This filtering requirement is controversial for a number of reasons, not least due to ISPs’ filters targeting a wide range of other content too. Sky’s newly launched Broadband Shield, for example, blocks numerous legitimate file-sharing related sites including uTorrent and BitTorrent.com, download portals for Linux distributions, and even TorrentFreak.[/b]

Last summer Prime Minister David Cameron announced a default filter for all Internet connections. This means that UK Internet subscribers will be required to opt-in if they want to view adult content online.

Sky was one of the first ISPs to roll out its network level filter in November. As a result, new subscribers will now have to opt out from Broadband Shield‘s default PG13 setting if they want to see adult content. Later this year existing customers will also be forced to make the same choice.

While most of the discussion has focused on porn, Sky’s filter – and those operated by other ISPs – actually block a much wider range of content. Below are the options Sky users are given at the moment, showing that if people want to block porn, they also have to block various other categories.

The 13-years-old-and-over setting is ticked by default, which also includes dating, anonymizers, file-sharing and hacking. In other words, those customers who don’t opt out from the ‘porn filter’ will also have file-sharing sites and services blocked. A quick round on the internet reveals that this category is rather inclusive, and not limited to ‘pirate sites.’
[/quote]
[url=http://torrentfreak.com/uk-porn-filter-blocks-legitimate-file-sharing-services-and-torrentfreak-140103/]Source[/url]

[Killergam]

I knew this bullshit law would be abused. Governments\ISP's should not do the parents\shop\companys job.

[isnipeu]

This is why the government shouldn't be allowed to add filters like this, it always starts with big things like porn but ends up affecting other things that are fine. If parents really want to prevent their kids from looking at porn they should just use a modem/ISP filter.

[smurfy]

It's kind of a misconception to even call them 'porn filters', they're not marketed as such

[QUOTE=Killergam;43402433]I knew this bullshit law would be abused. Governments\ISP's should not do the parents\shop\companys job.[/QUOTE]

There is no law, ISPs implemented filters voluntarily.

[QUOTE=isnipeu;43402527]This is why the government shouldn't be allowed to add filters like this, it always starts with big things like porn but ends up affecting other things that are fine. If parents really want to prevent their kids from looking at porn they should just use a modem/ISP filter.[/QUOTE]

This is an ISP filter, if I understand what you mean. Each ISP runs its own system and has a different list of blocked websites. For example Sky's system (the one in this article) has the following block levels:

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/ix3t.gif[/t]

While BT's system has different settings and also allows you to choose individual categories to block (not all categories are shown in this picture AFAIK):

[img]http://imgkk.com/i/-ljj.png[/img]

IMO the filters shouldn't be turned on by default, but a lot of people are getting angry over the wrong information

[Skarr]

[QUOTE=Killergam;43402433]I knew this bullshit law would be abused. Governments\ISP's should not do the parents\shop\companys job.[/QUOTE]
It only takes one awkward conversation with one's parents to settle this kind of thing too. My parents are okay with and know that I watch porn, but they also know that I'm not going to make it an important aspect of my life.

[josm]

[QUOTE=Killergam;43402433]I knew this bullshit law would be abused. Governments\ISP's should not do the parents\shop\companys job.[/QUOTE]

Which is why we need to get off our asses and fucking do something.

Like make people see what they're trying to do, for example.

[turke]

[QUOTE=smurfy;43402897]It's kind of a misconception to even call them 'porn filters', they're not marketed as such

There is no law, ISPs implemented filters voluntarily.

This is an ISP filter, if I understand what you mean. Each ISP runs its own system and has a different list of blocked websites. For example Sky's system (the one in this article) has the following block levels:

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/ix3t.gif[/t]

While BT's system has different settings and also allows you to choose individual categories to block (not all categories are shown in this picture AFAIK):

[img]http://imgkk.com/i/-ljj.png[/img]

IMO the filters shouldn't be turned on by default, but a lot of people are getting angry over the wrong information[/QUOTE]

do you know anything about virgin medias block? (if any)

[BiciMann]

[QUOTE=rampageturke 2;43403265]do you know anything about virgin medias block? (if any)[/QUOTE]

Well, they're called "Virgin Media"
All of the porn MUST be blocked.

I don't know it sounded funny in my head...

[Thomo_UK]

[QUOTE=rampageturke 2;43403265]do you know anything about virgin medias block? (if any)[/QUOTE]

Apparently you have to opt out via phoning them, I think.

I'm on Virgin as well.

[Mellowbloom]

no shortage of porn on my Internet, guess my ISP doesn't have it

[VinLAURiA]

Linux distributions, huh? I wonder if there's an outside agenda behind that.

[SpeedyHeart]

[QUOTE=smurfy;43402897]It's kind of a misconception to even call them 'porn filters', they're not marketed as such

There is no law, ISPs implemented filters voluntarily.

This is an ISP filter, if I understand what you mean. Each ISP runs its own system and has a different list of blocked websites. For example Sky's system (the one in this article) has the following block levels:

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/ix3t.gif[/t]

While BT's system has different settings and also allows you to choose individual categories to block (not all categories are shown in this picture AFAIK):

[img]http://imgkk.com/i/-ljj.png[/img]

IMO the filters shouldn't be turned on by default, but a lot of people are getting angry over the wrong information[/QUOTE]

how can they block cyber bullying? are they hiring somebody to close your laptop lid or something?

[Electrocuter]

[QUOTE=smurfy;43402897][t]http://imgkk.com/i/ix3t.gif[/t][/QUOTE]

My god the PG filter must block the whole Internet.

How do you even block cyber bullying?

OH CMON.

[Complifused]

I'm on orange as my isp because it has something to do with his phone contract. We live in the countryside so we don't have amazing internet for downloading or uploading but I don't have any filters on anything.

[Slendermang]

[QUOTE=ashrobhoy;43404289]how can they block cyber bullying? are they hiring somebody to close your laptop lid or something?[/QUOTE]

[img]http://puu.sh/68fAq.png[/img]

:v:

[Goodwell]

I have yet to experience any form of blocked page. Either i'm not trying hard enough, or the block is so lenient for my provider it does pretty much nothing.

Good system, [I][B]Dave[/B][/I].

[ViralHatred]

I'm on sky and I can access everything fine. Haven't even been contacted about filtering either.