TalkTalk apologises for using ‘porn filter’ to block access to Lib Dem LGBT website
TalkTalk has apologised for blocking access to the Liberal Democrats’ official LGBT group website, after the internet service provider (ISP) incorrectly classified the site as “pornographic”.
Chair of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Adrian Trett said: “The blocking of our own website shows that the ‘Great Firewall of Britain’ is turning out to be the disaster many of us warned it would be.
“Reports are rife that these filters don’t block lots of porn, but do block legitimate support and health sites. As it turns out, it is also blocking our own political website, which has absolutely no content of this nature and therefore as feared.
“[If] LGBT resources are targeted disproportionately, then ISPs are probably exposing themselves to legal challenge under the Equality Act too as well as possible criminal liability for blocking a political web site during an election period.”
On Friday, a TalkTalk spokesperson told PinkNews.co.uk: “We’re pleased that this has been brought to our attention, clearly this website should not have been classified in this way and we have lifted the block. We’ve always been clear that there will be a small number of websites which are filtered in error, as unfortunately no filtering solution can ever be 100% perfect, and we’ve a simple one click reporting button that anyone can use to tell us if they think this is the case. We’re continually developing HomeSafe and welcome feedback of this nature.”
