Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Access Restricted

And, speaking of the internet and the ability of people to gather information, Reader Fluffy emailed asking if I knew anything about the new UK internet restrictions on pornographic material. The article, dated March 19, 2019, "Why the UK's porn block is one of the worst ideas ever," from Wired provides a lot of information on what and how the UK government believes it will be able to do in the way putting a lid on access to adult sites.
What really isn't clear is exactly what will constitute "porn." Ostensibly, it means any adult site which contains an age restriction - which could mean a blog like this one. Or not.
"WHAT IS GOING TO BE BLOCKED?
The government has said websites operating on a commercial basis will have to comply with the law. This is where things get sticky. The Online Pornography (Commercial Basis) Regulations 2018 sets out a few stipulations around what counts as commercial pornographic content and there are a few different stipulations that will catch a lot of websites. Something can be classed as commercial porn under the law if it has to be paid for or if the person making it will be paid or receive some kind of benefit. Websites that have more than one-third of their content falling into previous categories will need to have an age verification system in place."


The article is very much worth the read, because as campaigner Myles Jackman put it, “Pornography is the canary in the coal mine of free speech: it is the first freedom to die. If this assault on liberty is allowed to go unchallenged, other freedoms will fall as a consequence.”
The author of the article, Rowland Manthorpe, points out, "It’s not too late to stop it, but based on the government’s attitude it doesn’t seem likely. So where does this leave us?"

Good question.

10 comments:

SickoRicko said...

Yeah, what can we do.

Your French Patrick said...

If the UK government believes it will be able to do in the way putting a lid on access to adult sites to avoid that they may be seen by those who are underage, either they will just ask what is our age and it will be quite ineffective, either they will ask to prove it, and they will have a wealth of other information on everybody, underage or not, all over the World. Or they will make a lot of people run away. After leaving Europe with the great success and the profits that we know, why not leave internet porn. And what else afterwards?
Hugs and bisous, my darlings Jean and Pat.

Xersex said...

only in UK. Not in Europe!

AOM SoulFood said...

Scary stuff! The EU also passed a draconian copyright law that will also have an effect on this too. Free Speech is under assault and we are going to have to take action.

I hope you are well and having fun, my Friend. I wish you a JizzTastic day! Hugs, Licks, and Strokes, AOM

Mistress Maddie said...

Next thing you know, that want human beings coming out of the womb with clothes on. If one doesn't like pornography then don't look at it. It seems the world is getting worst and worst with nudity and anything related. Why don't we all just go live in a monastery?

Fluffy said...

Many thanks for looking into this. It really is a great article!
And, from what it says, it seems that blogs should escape the age verification process as they are not commercial, but once in place who knows how it will be changed to meet a political agenda.

And do we really think that none of the MPs in the UK enjoy porn? It makes you wonder how the legislation was passed in thge first place!

JeanWM said...

I guess my only question is why now? What has changed in the UK that they feel the need to even address this? Don’t they have enough problems right now to deal with?

I just hope Trump doesn’t get wind of it, he’s always looking for a good sideshow to run for a couple of weeks distraction.

Hugs and bisous.

whkattk said...

@ Jean - Methinks they're trying to draw attention away from the Brexit issues. This week, Trump is attacking the ACA again to draw attention away from the ongoing investigations so he can continue to tell his base that he's innocent of all charges in the witch hunt! I mean, didn't his AG tell us it was all over? Yet, by golly, things will continue in the House, and the Grand Jury is still convened and working away.....

whkattk said...

@ xersex - Yes, only in the UK - for now. These things have a habit of spreading like a disease if they aren't checked.

Anonymous said...

Well if he attacks the ACA, good for him. Maybe we can get a healthcare plan that isn't a GOP wet dream next time.