The upcoming British ISP-level internet filters have been leaked, and the results give us a nice view into what British policymakers fear about online life.
“Parental controls”
Do you want to block
☑ pornography
☑ violent material
☑ extremist and terrorist related content
☑ anorexia and eating disorder websites
☑ suicide related websites
☑ alcohol
☑ smoking
☑ web forums
☑ esoteric material
☑ web blocking circumvention tools
You can opt back in at any time
[continue]
Note the presence of violent content, which Americans would be happy with. Note, too, the bit about esoteric material. Beware the Crowleyan-Islamicist menace!
So are these Pro sites, or if you enable say 'alcohol', are you blocked from sites trying to help alcoholics, or if you select 'web blocking' does that mean you can no longer research web blocking tools?
Posted by: Lee Graham | July 30, 2013 at 13:56
I meant pro, as in pro-alcohol, or pro-anorexia... for example.
Posted by: Lee Graham | July 30, 2013 at 13:56
Probably. These kinds of filters tend to err broadly, rather than narrowly.
Besides, don't forget the IP defense of web blocking tools. You know, our not being able to see what's blocked because it's a trade secret.
Posted by: Bryan Alexander | July 31, 2013 at 10:52