TalkTalk's net porn filter doesn't go far enough for MPs

Cross-party MPs have said TalkTalk's network-level porn filter doesn't go far enough because it remains opt-in.

Last year, Tory MP Claire Perry called for ISPs to block porn at source, while Culture Minister Ed Vaizey asked broadband providers to come up with ways to keep children safe online.

It's about offering parents the ability to stop their kids stumbling across this content

TalkTalk responded with the launch of HomeSafe, a filtering system that claims to block adult websites or P2P file-sharing on all devices on the home network. TalkTalk claims 50,000 customers have already signed up for the opt-in filtering system.

The ISP had previously claimed that the Conservatives were happy with the system, however, Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart and Perry repeated calls for the system to be switched on by default.

"Frankly, the way to make sure we have this protection while still having choice is to have a network-level filter built in," said Perry. "I still think that's the simplest way to do it. I remain convinced of that."

That view was backed by Shelia Eaton, president of the National Council for Women, who said such a filter needed to be on by default as "parents often don't know as much about technology as their children".

However, Perry was contradicted by her senior Government colleague and Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, who said he "wasn't fussed" what sort of system the ISPs opted for, so long as he sees "genuine action from ISPs to give parents easily accessible tools that [mean] that kind of content isn't seen by children".

The TalkTalk system was also welcomed by Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, who said parents just want a simple way to control what their children can access online. "It's about offering parents the ability to stop their kids stumbling across this content," she said.

Opt-in to start

That opt-in system also looks set to be picked up by rival ISPs Sky, Virgin Media and BT. Along with TalkTalk, the group covers the vast majority of the UK broadband market, and have been working together to create a system to keep children from viewing adult content online.

Mike Galvin, managing director for research and technology at BT, said the four firms expected to have a Code of Practice in place by October, that would ensure ISPs offer clear and easy to use parental controls.

Asked if ISPs will automatically block porn or if it would be a choice, Galvin said: "You give parents the active choice."