David Cameron outlines plans to “close the net” on internet porn

David Cameron has demanded tough action by search engines and ISPs to crack down on child pornography present on the internet.

The UK Prime Minister has given a speech outlining new laws for ISPs and search engines if they fail to blacklist key search terms for illegal images by October.

Cameron said the new plan is to piece together all the fragmented databases to help UK police forces “close the net” on paedophiles. It will enable the industry to use the “digital hashtags” to scan for, report and remove any offending images.

“This isn’t just a job for Government. The internet service providers and the search engine companies have a vital role to play and we’ve already reached a number of important agreements with them”, said Cameron.  “A new UK/US task force is being formed to lead a global alliance with the big players in the industry to stamp out these vile images.”

The new plans states that anyone searching for potentially illegal images or content should be given alternative options, to realign their searches with acceptable content.

“On people searching for these images, there are some searches where people should be given clear routes out of that search to legitimate sites on the web.”

His example is “child” and “sex”, which should offer searches for child gender, child sex education and so on. The pathways to illegal images that haven’t yet been reported should not be offered.

“Put simply, there needs to be a list of terms – a black list – which offer up no direct search returns. So I have a very clear message for Google, Bing, Yahoo and the rest. You have a duty to act on this, and it is a moral duty. I simply don’t accept the argument that some of these companies have used to say, that these searches should be allowed because of freedom of speech.”

ISPs and search engine companies will have to report to Cameron in October, outlining their plans to blacklist these search terms. If they prove unwilling, they will face new laws that can enforce this specific form of censorship.

“If COP give you a black list of internet search terms will you commit to stop offering up any returns on these searches. If the answer is yes, good. If the answer is no and the progress is slow or non-existent, I can tell you now we are already looking at legislative options so that we can force action in this area.”

Next, read the original story: David Cameron to announce compulsory porn blocks for UK internet users.