If ChildSafe sounds like something vaguely familiar it is because you are probably thinking about TalkTalk’s HomeSafe. The former, however, is a somewhat similar to the latter feature pushed by Claranet.
ChildSafe aims to keep children safe online by offering network-level filtering which means it can restrict access to websites, P2P networks, live chats (i.e. instant messaging services such as MSN Messenger). It also comes with antivirus software which spies for viruses, spyware, malware and phishing attacks.
Director of Claranet Soho, Jason Keen, said in the accompanying statement that ChildSafe was…
Edita Lozovska - 10 July 2012 | comments. Read more
Today marks the day when a consultation into how adult website censorship in the UK should be handled has been launched.
It is feared that children are exposed to inappropriate material on the web on a regular basis and with an increasing rate via Google searches, pop ups or malicious websites.
The UK Government’s Department for Education, which launched the process, has proposed three choices: automatic block, an active choice (opt-in for filtering during sign up) and a so-called active choice plus (default filtering with an ability to opt out at…
Edita Lozovska - 28 June 2012 | comments. Read more
Some of you might agree that putting cookies in a place where it’s more difficult for children to reach simply results in them trying harder to get them. We all probably recall grabbing that tasty bite one way or the other when we were kids.
This is exactly what Smoothwall, a website filtering software supplier for schools, assumes when it comes to forcing ISPs to block adult content by default.
As a quick reminder, the UK Government has been pondering whether or not slightly more categorical measures should be applied to…
Edita Lozovska - 8 May 2012 | comments. Read more
According to TalkTalk’s calculations, one in three new customers is actively choosing to turn on the provider’s very popular albeit sometimes controversial product, HomeSafe.
Some of you might recall that grand market leading ISPs have agreed to do their best to protect children online. This means that Virgin Media, TalkTalk, BT and Sky will be asking customers at the point of purchase whether or not they preferred to have the parental filter installed by default.
It also may be worth mentioning that TalkTalk has been very keen on protecting children online…
Edita Lozovska - 19 April 2012 | comments. Read more
Protecting children from the dangers of the internet is a “personal priority” for David Cameron, as he backed new plans for a new internet safety guide.
His backing coincided with new advice from the UK council for Child Internet Satefy and Safer Internet Day. The advice is a set of guidelines which all four major internet service providers have signed up to.
The report gives parents information about the dangers children face online. Issues like cyber bullying, sharing information and meeting strangers from the web are all addressed in the report.
It…
Anna Sheldrick - 8 February 2012 | comments. Read more
ASA slapped TalkTalk’s wrist for claiming that it provided the “UK’s safest broadband” service in its ads after two member of the public along with BT complained that the provider was misleading the consumers.
You might remember the slogan from TalkTalk’s television advertisements saying that the home which chose the ISP had “the UK’s safest broadband thanks to HomeSafe, free for all customers.”
Of course, no software is fail safe as reports started flooding in last month when customers found that the ISP let some adult video content slip through its…
Edita Lozovska - 4 January 2012 | comments. Read more
Virgin Media has announced that it has updated its security pack which customers can get free when they sign up for any of the provider’s broadband deals.
Virgin Media Security aims to protect your computer from nasty viruses, annoying malware, spyware and other web worms which are lurking around the net. It also includes parental controls which block websites with explicit imagery and adult content.
Jon James, Executive Director of Broadband at Virgin Media, was quoted as saying:
“We know that consumers are increasingly looking for more than just a ‘barebones’ broadband…
Edita Lozovska - 13 December 2011 | comments. Read more
Ever tried to browse through a lingerie shop on your way to work? Probably not, if you are on Vodafone and forgot to opt out of adult content filtering.
It has emerged that Vodafone was automatically blocking legitimate underwear e-shops such as Figleaves or La Senza as a part of its adult content filtering strategy.
The issue was discovered by digital rights and policy activist, James Firth, who simply could not access the websites through his Vodafone-connected iPhone.
It might be worth adding that customers could easily opt out from content blocking,…
Edita Lozovska - 1 December 2011 | comments. Read more
Action will be taken to dispose of all the child sexual abuse content from the web as the European Parliament (EP) has given the green light to the European Commission’s (EC) proposal.
According to the EC’s new Directive, ISPs should start liaising with web hosts as well as content providers to right the wrongs and remove online child pornography material. All of it.
EU States will also need to engage in talks with “third countries” (also known as countries outside the Eurozone and those located on other continents) to remove inappropriate…
Edita Lozovska - 28 October 2011 | comments. Read more
The news has recently come out that those keen on protecting their children from adult online content will be able to do so as soon as they subscribe to a broadband package, aka at the point of purchase.
In fact, an array of ISPs such as BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media as well as Sky Broadband agreed to provide the righteous option which also is supported by the UK Government’s Department for Education (DfE).
Back in June, 2011, Reg Bailey, chairman of Mothers Union, lit up the light bulb with the idea…
Geoff Slaughter - 11 October 2011 | comments. Read more
