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UK Gov. Clueless About Own Internet Blacklist

 


forkei
"Computer Shopper magazine has interviewed the UK Home Office about its relationship with the Internet Watch Foundation and discovered that the government doesn't actually know what the IWF does, although it still plans to force UK ISPs to subscribe to the IWF's blacklist. The main story makes for interesting reading, but the best bit is the full transcript of the interview. Short version: the IWF investigates suspected child porn websites and adds any it finds to a list that ISPs can use to block these sites; uk.gov wants ISPs to use this list; however, the IWF is not an official government organization, does not appear to have legal permission to view child pornography, and quite possibly is breaking the law by doing so."

Original Post : http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/17/2321252&from=rss
sheedatali
forkei wrote:
"Computer Shopper magazine has interviewed the UK Home Office about its relationship with the Internet Watch Foundation and discovered that the government doesn't actually know what the IWF does, although it still plans to force UK ISPs to subscribe to the IWF's blacklist. The main story makes for interesting reading, but the best bit is the full transcript of the interview. Short version: the IWF investigates suspected child porn websites and adds any it finds to a list that ISPs can use to block these sites; uk.gov wants ISPs to use this list; however, the IWF is not an official government organization, does not appear to have legal permission to view child pornography, and quite possibly is breaking the law by doing so."

Original Post : http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/17/2321252&from=rss


IWF does not view any data transmitted, it is a blacklist, any URL which qualifies to be on blacklist gets blocked at run time. The list is updated by submissions from various sources. The system is really simple cluster of squid servers which serve as transparent proxies. I know for a fact that IWF regulate these servers very strictly and do not allow ISP to manage them. I would like to get this sort of thing approved as a law by government if it is not already done so.
ocalhoun
^Still, it would be uncomfortably easy for the government to cover up information on the internet by giving IWF the URL of that information as a child porn violation.

It is done with the best of intentions, but I think it is too open to abuse.
sheedatali
ocalhoun wrote:

It is done with the best of intentions, but I think it is too open to abuse.


Agreed, and it is a worry that most people have. But there has to be something, as start, something at least against child porn. It is a great problem of our time and due to the openness of internet it is pretty much impossible to do anything about it by only one measure. I know the governments do crack ups on reported incidents, but all of that is reactive stuff. Someone has already either hurt a child or is process of doing so, however things like are more proactive even though not perfect. Ultimately it is a matter of awareness which will solve the problems, but how long will take? We don't know, therefore I am in favor of anything that can act NOW!
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