Wikipedia Co-founder Jimmy Wales Blasts U.K. Internet Filtering Plan

LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron’s promised Internet filtering plan has come under fire by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales.

Wales, one of Cameron's trusted technology advisors and an advocate for online open access told The Guardian that the plan is “"ridiculous,” maintaining that the government should police Internet crime like credit card fraud instead.

"When Cameron uses the example of pedophiles that are addicted to internet porn — all that these plans would do is require them to opt in," he said. "It's an absolutely ridiculous idea that won't work."

Wales’ comments follow a continuing outcry by free Internet supporters who feel the government’s overstepping its bounds by forcing users to opt in to see certain content, specifically adult material.

In his recent speech, Cameron announced that in an effort to protect children from questionable online content, the major ISPs including BT, Virgin, Sky and TalkTalk — that service 90 percent of the country’s internet users — have agreed to install mandatory filtering software by 2014.

But according to some critics, including Wales, the proposal is not feasible and would only be applied to new subscribers.

Pointing to the recent U.S. National Security Agency Internet snooping scandal, Wales said "billions had been wasted shopping on ordinary people's data in a fruitless search for terrorists."

"We should be devoting a significant proportion of that to dealing with the real criminal issues online, stealing credit card numbers, hacking into sites … that is going to take an investment in real, solid police work," Wales said.

The filtering backlash was also evident when a U.K. hacker recently created a firewall that only allows users to visit adult sites in protest over the proposed plan.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Pornography Review Recommends Banning 'Extreme' Content

The “pornography review” initiated under the conservative government of former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is soon expected to present its recommendations, which according to a BBC report will include banning any adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic.”

Malaysian Government Urges Tech Companies to Continue Porn Crackdown

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has asked all social media and online messaging platforms with at least 8 million users to register as application service providers beginning this year.

SceneLocker Extends Closed Beta Test for Creators

Content creator cloud storage company SceneLocker has extended its closed beta test.

Ms. Magazine Exposes Anti-LGBTQ+ Effects of AV Laws

Ms. magazine on Tuesday published an article examining how state age verification laws, promoted as a way to protect children online, are being used to censor LGBTQ+ and abortion-related content.

Zuzana Designs Marks 20-Year Anniversary

Web design and marketing firm Zuzana Designs is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Nikki Sequoia Launches New Fetish Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Content creator Nikki Sequoia has launched her new membership site, NikkisFetishes.com, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

LukeCooperX Launches Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Luke Cooper’s new paysite LukeCooperX has launched through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Martin Spell Launches New Paysite

Performer Martin Spell has launched a new membership site through MyMember.site.

GoGoWorldPorn Launches Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator GoGo FukMe’s new paysite GoGoWorldPorn has launched through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Bigboy4Wives Launches New Paysite

Bigboy4Wives has launched its wife-themed membership site.

Show More