The\ncontroversial porn block will restrict access to adult websites, including free\nporn sites like PornHub and YouPorn \u2013 which attract nearly 2billion visits a\nmonth between them worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They’ll\njoin a number of other sites in using the AgeID system, which requires users to\nverify their age via an official form of ID such as a driver’s license or\npassport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From\nApril, when the new system is expected to launch, randy internet lurkers will\nbe shown a non-pornographic “landing page”, according to AgeID spokesman\nJames Clark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When\na user first visits a site protected by AgeID, a landing page will appear with\na prompt for the user to verify their age before they can access the site.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Each\nwebsite will create their own non-pornographic landing page for this\npurpose.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When\nsomeone first clicks on a site, they’ll be asked to register with AgeID and\nverify their age using a Mobile SMS, credit card, passport, or driving licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Users\nwill then be able to use their AgeID username or password to access all porn\nsites that use AgeID \u2013 though some may use different age verification systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clark\nsaid: “It is a one-time verification. Once a user has age verified once,\non ANY site protected by AgeID, they will then simply pass-through or login to\nany other site using AgeID without needing to re-verify.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlocking porn on your local high street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s\nan alternative to handing over your details online…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sites\nface fines of up to \u00a3250,000 or a blanket block by UK internet service\nproviders if they do not comply with the rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regulators\nwill be also able to block porn websites if they fail to show that they are\ndenying access to under-18s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However,\nthere are some reservations from experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UK porn block branded ‘censorship’<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The porn\nblock risked creating a “sex tape black market” on social media, chat\napps and even USB sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Executive\ndirector Jim Killock, of the Open Rights Group, said “If children want\nsomething, they’ll generally be able to get it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He warned\nthat teens risk being pushed onto more extreme material as they skirt the ban \u2013\nand said that the blocking system won’t stop children accidentally seeing smut\nonline either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s\nbecause the BBFC will be focusing on “mainstream” porn sites, but\nwon’t tackle smaller sites or social media apps like Twitter or Reddit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And\npornography will still be accessible through a simple Google Image search,\nwhich could put kids at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The\ngovernment wanted to stop children who are under 12 from accidentally seeing\nporn,” said Jim, who heads up ORG, a non-profit aimed at preserving\ndigital rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “But\nthis just seems a very odd policy justification in the end, because the porn\nthat children accidentally see is on Google search or Twitter, or pornographic\nadverts on slightly odd sites, like file-sharing sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Those\nare probably where children most commonly accidentally see porn. But none of\nthat is going to be blocked by this.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ministers\nhave implied that the job was so difficult it warranted additional time to get\nright \u2013 but internet rights experts think snuffing out porn is an impossible\ntask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It\ncan be shared on USB sticks, sent by email, shared on WhatsApp,” Jim told\nus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “And\nof course, children can guess their parents’ credentials and log into these\nsites that way \u2013 or steal them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “So\nit’s pretty unlikely that this is really going to reduce teenagers’ access to\npornography.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also\nwarned that it will “increase risky behaviour” like using “free\nproxy sites” that might install spyware on your phone or computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even\nworse, you could end up with a big bill \u2013 depending on how teens choose to\nskirt the block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It\nmight increase children downloading porn from file-sharing sites, which comes\nwith the risk that you get a letter in the post complaining that you’ve been\ndownloading dodgy porn that belongs to a company, demanding payment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s also\npossible that the porn block could drive Brits underground into extreme corners\nof the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “A\ncensored internet will force users to circumvent the enforced controls,”\nsaid John Fokker, McAffe’s Head of Cyber Investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “On\nthe hunt for the content they want, it is likely they will search in even more\ndangerous places online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It\u2019s\nparamount that people take responsibility to check the authenticity of websites\nbefore sharing any personal information,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UK\nMinister for Digital Margot James said: \u201cAdult content is currently far too\neasy for children to access online. The introduction of mandatory\nage-verification is a world-first, and we\u2019ve taken the time to balance privacy\nconcerns with the need to protect children from inappropriate content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We\nwant the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online, and these new\nlaws will help us achieve this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n BBFC\nChief Executive David Austin said: “The introduction of age-verification\nto restrict access to commercial pornographic websites to adults is a ground\nbreaking child protection measure. Age-verification will help prevent children\nfrom accessing pornographic content online and means the UK is leading the way\nin internet safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn entry\ninto force, consumers will be able to identify that an age-verification\nprovider has met rigorous security and data checks if they carry the BBFC’s new\ngreen ‘AV’ symbol.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jim\nKillock Executive Director of Open Rights Group said: \u201cThe government needs to\ncompel companies to enforce privacy standards. The idea that they are\n\u2018optional\u2019 is dangerous and irresponsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHaving\nsome age verification that is good and other systems that are bad is unfair and\na scammer\u2019s paradise \u2013 of the government\u2019s own making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cData\nleaks could be disastrous. And they will be the government\u2019s own fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe\ngovernment needs to shape up and legislate for privacy before their own policy\nresults in people being outed, careers destroyed or suicides being provoked.\u201d<\/p>\n
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