In Child Porn Crackdown, U.K.'s Internet Filter Strategy Ensnares ISPs

Revelations that late BBC TV host Jimmy Savile sexually abused hundreds of children have prompted soul searching across Britain over how his star power trumped years of suspicion. With constituents enraged, Prime Minister David Cameron has made restricting access to pornography, and especially stamping out images of children, a signature issue.

Cameron in April asked public Wi-Fi networks to filter explicit content in public settings such as coffee shops, train stations, and libraries. The six biggest providers have complied. Then in July the father of four threatened to require companies offering home Internet service to install filters that automatically block pornography; subscribers would need to “opt in” to view such material. Once again, the industry agreed; by early 2014, the filters will be on virtually all Internet accounts in Britain. Adults wanting to view explicit content will “have to have a discussion” with their spouse or partner, Cameron told BBC Radio on Nov. 18.