Internet service provider TalkTalk is making it safer for families to go online, announcing it is to switch users’ porn filters to on as standard.
Making access to adult and inappropriate content an opt-in feature, TalkTalk has followed Sky in shutting the automatic doors on smut and potentially troubling web pages.
Although TalkTalk’s content filters will now be set to on as default, those of you worried about restricted browsing habits need fret not, the simple unmarking of a HomeSafe based check box is all that stands between you and the less wholesome corners of the internet.
Making the announcement through the company’s official blog, a TalkTalk spokesperson Alex Birtles announced: “We pre-tick the ‘on’ option, but it’s a customer’s choice.”
They added: “
“In fact, we actively encourage customers to amend their settings, because what level of protection a family needs will change over time as children mature or move away.”
Related: UK Porn Filter: Five reasons it won’t work
For those less savvy with computer settings, TalkTalk has confirmed users who have yet to address their adult filters will be confronted with a prompting pop-up.
“A very small proportion haven’t visited their account settings, so to reach those people we’ve developed a ‘pop-up’ box which those customers will see when they try to visit any website that would be filtered by HomeSafe if it was active.”
TalkTalk’s move follows call last year by Prime Minister David Cameron who suggested ISPs should move to pre-activated filters in the interest of family safety.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
