Since 2012 internet service providers have
been acting under a court order to block access to many of the biggest sharing
sites that link to illegal content, including the best-known Pirate Bay. Although initially reluctant to block such sites,
following the court’s ruling ISPs agreed to comply.
However users can visit so-called proxy
sites that bypass the restrictions. This
week it was reported that, as part of the battle against online piracy, UK ISPs
have now begun blocking access to websites that provide a list of Pirate Bay
alternatives
This block has only come about because of
an expensive court case brought by rights holders including the British
Phonographic Industry and the Premier League amongst others. Big businesses can afford to enforce their
rights through the courts but parents and children do not have this option.
Which powerful corporations are fighting to
protect the interests of the victims of the ‘free and open’ internet that
enables children to have pornography streamed into their bedrooms?
These are the interests which need real
protection. Children’s rights are just
as important as those of big business.
Following Government pressure the ‘big
four’ ISPs all offer easy to use filters and Sky and TalkTalk have taken the
brave move to block potentially harmful content as a default unless users opt
in to access it. However many smaller
ISPs do not offer filters – including one which makes a virtue of its refusal
to offer protective filters.
It is time for the government to legislate
to afford children and families the same protections as big businesses. With the election almost upon us this might
be something you would like to raise with prospective candidates canvassing your
vote.
