BT Blocks Access To Pirate Bay

Barence writes "BT and other mobile broadband providers are blocking access to The Pirate Bay as part of a 'self-regulation' scheme with the Internet Watch Foundation. BT Mobile Broadband users who attempt to access the notorious BitTorrent tracker site are met with a 'content blocked' message. The warning page states the page has been blocked in 'compliance with a new UK voluntary code.' 'This uses a barring and filtering mechanism to restrict access to all WAP and internet sites that are considered to have "over 18" status,' the warning states. It goes on to list a series of categories that are blocked, including adult/sexually explicit content, 'criminal skills,' and hacking. It's not stated which category The Pirate Bay breaches, although the site does host links to porn movies."

Comments

Re:Bittorrent over 3G

[Nossie]

Just to let you guys know....

I work for Vodafone ... and we do support for their mobile broadband... under the 'voluntary code' even facebook is blocked under the content control bar that is placed on EVERY vodafone sim... even eminem cant be downloaded on mobile phones without this bar being removed.

to get removed you need either a valid credit card or go into a vodafone store with proof of ID.

So my question is.... does this come off when you remove the bar or what?

And btw, if you use BT over 3G you are a fucking goon .... 1GB = £15, you'd be cheaper actually buying your stuff. On the flip side of this at least you can go into a vodafone store and have it removed *almost* anonymously with BT it would appear you have to have some form of address and a 'trackable' account.

just my 2 cents - but its a total pita when people do not have a cc and cant access fricking FB

Re:Ah so the IWF is after a power grab.

[TobascoKid]

But if the government starts to do it then (theoretically) there's somebody to hold publicly accountable for what ends up on the blacklist. At the moment, the IWF can block whatever they like and answer to no one.

Even better, once the government starts doing it, they might end up being forced to start paying ISPs to do the filtering (like they're doing with the email spying). Then it becomes a target for eventual cuts in public spending and one day may quietly disappear.