Porn Block Coming To All Internet Users In UK

A porn block will soon be required for all UK internet users. Prime Minister David Cameron announced Monday that internet service providers in Britain will be required to automatically prevent users from accessing pornography.

Porn fans don’t need to worry too much though. Those who do want to view internet pornography over their connection can choose to opt out of the block, Cameron said.

Speaking at a children’s charity, UK Prime Minister Cameron explained the need to block these types of videos and images from being easily accessible. He went on to say that internet pornography was “corroding childhood,” CBS News reports.

Cameron says all internet service providers will be putting the porn block in place by the end of the year. Only those who control their internet accounts can choose to not have the block.

The British prime minister said he would also be like to make it a crime to own violent pornography. This would include videos of fake rape scenes and child porn, for instance. Cameron says search engines like Google will be asked to comply with these new laws.

Anti-pornography activists cheer Cameron’s announcement, agreeing with him when he explained that, on the internet, “there are things going on that are a direct danger to our children, and that must be stamped out.”

Critics say such porn blocks will be difficult to put in place. Prime Minister Cameron says, however, that a team of dedicated experts can overcome any technical obstacles. He’d rather internet providers design their own blocks though.

Anti-censorship groups have criticized the proposal, saying it’s a type of default censorship. The Independent reports that some activists have said it would be better to put resources into catching criminals who make and share violent pornography.

Others don’t think Cameron’s ideas go far enough. They agree, though, that increasing funds to law enforcement groups who go after child pornographers and the like would be the best way to fight illegal porn.

Cameron hopes to have the proposed porn blocks and new laws in place by the end of the year for the United Kingdom.

[Image via The Prime Minister’s Office via photopin cc]