A major Internet service provider (ISP) in the UK has just advised customers that all "adult content" will now be automatically blocked. Sky told its 5.3 million users that over the next few weeks, they will start seeing notices to "opt-in" when trying to view adult material online.

 

Sky says this is part of a push to make the Internet safer for minors. However, brand director Lyssa McGowanin said that the opt-in process would not be difficult.

 

"What we’re doing now is simply making sure that the automatic position of Sky Broadband Shield is the safest one for all – that’s ‘on’, unless customers choose otherwise," she explained. "So how will it work? When trying to visit a website deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 13 during the day, customers will see a page reminding them to make a choice about filtering.

 

"At this point, they can accept the current setting, change their protection levels or simply turn Sky Broadband Shield off."

 

Users will have to log in to their Sky profile page to change the settings. Forget your password and you won't be wanking off tonight!

 

Last year Prime Minister David Cameron asked Internet service providers to make online filtering mandatory. It looks like he might be getting his wish.

 

One major issue: sites that are not adult in nature are often blocked by these filters. In the past, universities, libraries, public schools and private filtering software companies have all come under fire for blocking non-adult gay sites like Advocate.com and PFLAG.org, because terms like "gay" and "queer" and "lesbian" are often used as markers for censoring XXX content. LGBT youth seeking support could find their search that much more difficult.

 

Of course, now that Sky has acted it won't be long before other British ISPs follow suit.

 

Sky Broadband Shield: Porn-blocking filter is 'switched on'  [The Independent]