The UK was due to undergo a porn block on 15 July
The block, laid out under the Digital Economy Act, would mean that access to pornography across the UK would automatically blocked. People who wish to access pornography would have to use an age verification service to prove they are over 18.
Intended to prevent children from accessing adult material, the block has since been delayed indefinitely by the government.
The block is regional to the UK; technology experts have pointed out that it could easily be subverted by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which enables users to access region-restricted content. In other words, you could make your computer appear as if it’s in a different country, thereby enabling you to access porn.
Dr Anna Arrowsmith, formerly the porn director Ann Span, joined JOE to discuss the porn block. In the interview, she outlined her concerns around the block, and her scepticism that the block is really intended to protect children.
“Whilst the UK government is saying it is about saving children, I think it’s really about, for the Conservatives, it’s about appeasing the backbenches and certain pressure groups in the UK,” Arrowsmith said.
“There’s this last push of conservatism, this last gasp of trying to keep the lid on everything. And I think it’s not working.
Arrowsmith also outlined her concerns that automatically banning online porn inhibits free speech.
“If you believe in equality in any way, pornography is an important part of that discussion, because you might not like pornography but you need to understand that it has a role of expression and freedom of speech, that when it gets taken away is very, very damaging for everything and for everyone,” Arrowsmith said.
