UK ISP Blocks The Pirate Bay Over Adult Content

http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/pictu...&pictureid=189

BT Mobile Broadband customers greeted to a “content blocked” message when trying to visit the Swedish BitTorrent tracker site, which it says it has nothing to do with file-sharing.

It looks as though BT Mobile Broadband users are falling victim to a curious bout of self-regulation by the ISP. Customers attempting to access the notorious BitTorrent tracker site The Pirate Bay are met with a “content blocked” warning message which states it’s part of its “compliance with a new UK voluntary code.”

“This uses a barring and filtering mechanism to restrict access to all WAP and internet sites that are considered to have ‘over 18′ status,” the warning states.

The ISP says its merely blocking The Pirate Bay because the site contains adult content, and that customers who want the block lifted should contact customer services.

“BT and the other UK mobile operators have agreed and implemented a voluntary Code of Practice for mobile content that restricts access to content unsuitable for customers under the age of 18,” it claims in a statement.

“The list of sites and content that is restricted is compiled by individual operators themselves. The warning that BT provides links to the IWF website is for information on the Code only. BT customers who wish to have access to particular sites reactivated can do so by calling 150.”

The IWF Code it references contains no mention of file-sharing, and in fact IWF released a statement of its own reiterating that it has no involvement with P2P

“The IWF list contains only publicly available web based content and only URLs related to indecent images of children,” it says. “We have no role regarding peer-to-peer traffic and have never taken any action regarding Pirate Bay as it is outside our remit.”

A BT spokesperson helped to summarize the whole affair.

“Just to put it into perspective,” they explained, “BT, along with a number of other ISPs, has signed up to a voluntary agreement that regulates content accessed by mobile broadband users.

“The reason this content needs regulating is that somebody under the age of 18 can sign up for a mobile broadband dongle. This is different to broadband in the home, where consumers need to be 18 to sign up to this sort of contract.

“When it comes to The Pirate Bay, the reason we have blocked the site is because users can access adult material on it.”

It makes sense, but it does make one wonder to what extant the porn card could be used to block BitTorrent tracker sites like The Pirate Bay. Most have porn, and it could be a curious back door method for copyright holders looking to have ISPs block similar sites under the guise of “protecting the children.”

:source: Source: ZP

Sounds fine to me. They're just trying to block the kids from watching porn.

They'll lift the block on your line if you call and ask them to.

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Originally Posted by Skizo

Sounds fine to me. They're just trying to block the kids from watching porn.

They'll lift the block on your line if you call and ask them to.

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Actually, it says they'll lift the ban on particular sites you ask them to... as if you're going to know new site addresses in advance.

BT's line about mobile internet customers not needing to be 18+ is complete bull if all their customers' access is being restricted; they have the age of each customer on file and only need to restrict access for those under 18 if this is the real reason for the policy change.

Whatever their excuse, it should still be an opt-in choice rather than opt-out.

I have to agree. After thinking about it more, don't customers need to be 18+ to even sign up for their service? :huh:

This really makes me mad and I don't live in the UK. I know other isp's will follow.

First it will be porn, then "offensive"...

Flood their phones with angry calls and threats of cancellation. Do not make this easy on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skizo

I have to agree. After thinking about it more, don't customers need to be 18+ to even sign up for their service? :huh:

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I believe so. Partly because contracts in England and Wales are not legally enforceable on persons aged 17 or below.