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UK's controversial 'porn blocker' plan dropped | UK's controversial 'porn blocker' plan dropped |
(32 minutes later) | |
The government has dropped a plan to use strict age verification checks to stop under-18s viewing porn online. | The government has dropped a plan to use strict age verification checks to stop under-18s viewing porn online. |
It said the policy, which was initially set to launch in April 2018, would "not be commencing" after repeated delays, and fears it would not work. | It said the policy, which was initially set to launch in April 2018, would "not be commencing" after repeated delays, and fears it would not work. |
The so-called porn blocker would have forced commercial porn providers to verify users' ages, or face a UK ban. | The so-called porn blocker would have forced commercial porn providers to verify users' ages, or face a UK ban. |
Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan said other measures would be deployed to achieve the same objectives. | Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan said other measures would be deployed to achieve the same objectives. |
The government first mooted the idea of a porn blocker in 2015, with the aim of stopping youngsters "stumbling across" inappropriate content. | The government first mooted the idea of a porn blocker in 2015, with the aim of stopping youngsters "stumbling across" inappropriate content. |
Pornographic sites which failed to check the age of UK visitors would have faced being blocked by internet service providers. | Pornographic sites which failed to check the age of UK visitors would have faced being blocked by internet service providers. |
But critics warned that many under-18s would have found it relatively easy to bypass the restriction using virtual private networks (VPNs), which disguise their location, or could simply turn to porn-hosting platforms not covered by the law, such as Reddit or Twitter. | |
Likewise, platforms which host pornography on a non-commercial basis - meaning they do not charge a fee or make money from adverts - would not have been affected. | |
There were also privacy concerns, amid suggestions that websites could ask users to upload scans of their passports or driving licences. | |
In a written statement issued on Wednesday, Ms Morgan said the government would not be "commencing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 concerning age verification for online pornography". | In a written statement issued on Wednesday, Ms Morgan said the government would not be "commencing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 concerning age verification for online pornography". |
Instead, she said, porn providers would be expected to meet a new "duty of care" to improve online safety. This will be policed by a new online regulator "with strong enforcement powers to deal with non-compliance". | Instead, she said, porn providers would be expected to meet a new "duty of care" to improve online safety. This will be policed by a new online regulator "with strong enforcement powers to deal with non-compliance". |
"This course of action will give the regulator discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care," she added. | "This course of action will give the regulator discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care," she added. |
'A privacy disaster' | |
OCL, one of the firms offering age verification tools, was not happy about the decision. | |
"It is shocking that the government has now done a U-turn and chosen not to implement [this]," said chief executive Serge Acker. | |
"There is no legitimate reason not to implement legislation which has been on the statue books for two years and was moments away from enactment this summer. [This] would have protected children against seeing pornography on the internet, a move which would undoubtedly have been welcomed by all sensible parents in the UK." | |
But Jim Killock, executive director of civil liberties organisation Open Rights Group, welcomed the news. | |
"Age verification for porn as currently legislated would cause huge privacy problems if it went ahead. We are glad the government has stepped back from creating a privacy disaster, that would lead to blackmail scams and individuals being outed for the sexual preferences. | |
"However it is still unclear what the government does intend to do, so we will remain vigilant to ensure that new proposals are not just as bad, or worse." | |
In June, the porn blocker was delayed a second time after the government failed to tell European regulators about the plan, leading Labour to describe the policy as an "utter shambles". | In June, the porn blocker was delayed a second time after the government failed to tell European regulators about the plan, leading Labour to describe the policy as an "utter shambles". |