A new Bill proposed to Parliament, if approved, would oblige Internet service providers (ISPs) to prevent customers from accessing pornographic images unless those customers have specifically notified the ISP that they want to access that material. The Online Safety Bill would require ISPs to provide a “default” service to customers that would exclude pornographic images, so that if a customer wanted access they would need to be over eighteen and specifically opt-in. Even then, the ISPs would only be able to allow access if the specific website has an age verification policy in place.
The proposed law would also require manufacturers of devices that can access the Internet (including mobile phones) to ensure that those devices have filtering functionality installed.
ISPs have criticised the proposed law over concerns that it would lead to over-blocking and also because it leaves open the question as to who decides what is and what is not pornographic.