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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MPs debate porn block for Twitter | MPs debate porn block for Twitter |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MPs have asked how new rules aimed at stopping children seeing pornographic content will affect websites such as Twitter. | MPs have asked how new rules aimed at stopping children seeing pornographic content will affect websites such as Twitter. |
| The Digital Economy Bill will lead to sites that do not ask for age verification being blocked. | The Digital Economy Bill will lead to sites that do not ask for age verification being blocked. |
| It received an unopposed third reading from MPs on Monday evening, meaning it is set to become law. | It received an unopposed third reading from MPs on Monday evening, meaning it is set to become law. |
| But John Whittingdale, the Tory MP who first tabled the bill in July, is not convinced it will solve the problem. | But John Whittingdale, the Tory MP who first tabled the bill in July, is not convinced it will solve the problem. |
| "One of the main ways in which young people are now exposed to pornography is through social media such as Twitter, and I do not really see that the bill will do anything to stop that happening," Mr Whittingdale said. | "One of the main ways in which young people are now exposed to pornography is through social media such as Twitter, and I do not really see that the bill will do anything to stop that happening," Mr Whittingdale said. |
| Twitter's rules ban the use of "pornographic or excessively violent media" in profile or header images but allow posts to contain explicit adult content. | Twitter's rules ban the use of "pornographic or excessively violent media" in profile or header images but allow posts to contain explicit adult content. |
| The amount of pornographic content on the platform has grown since June, when Twitter allowed users to post videos lasting up to two minutes and 20 seconds. | The amount of pornographic content on the platform has grown since June, when Twitter allowed users to post videos lasting up to two minutes and 20 seconds. |
| Block sites | Block sites |
| The Digital Economy Bill contains measures to bring in age verification for pornographic sites and withdraw payment services from sites that do not comply. | The Digital Economy Bill contains measures to bring in age verification for pornographic sites and withdraw payment services from sites that do not comply. |
| In the latest version of the proposed legislation, the government has given the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) new powers to enforce the rules. | In the latest version of the proposed legislation, the government has given the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) new powers to enforce the rules. |
| The bill's focus is on tackling sites involved in the commercial provision of pornographic material. | The bill's focus is on tackling sites involved in the commercial provision of pornographic material. |
| Digital Minister Matt Hancock acknowledged that dealing with sites where users could add material unchecked was more difficult. | Digital Minister Matt Hancock acknowledged that dealing with sites where users could add material unchecked was more difficult. |
| Twitter's use among youngsters is declining, that's according to a recent report from the regulator Ofcom. However, that might change if access to pornography either explicit material is closed off by the Digital Economy Bill's provisions. | |
| "I appreciate that there is a big challenge in stopping those who really want to access porn online, but all the evidence suggests that children's first interaction is often by accident," Mr Hancock said. | "I appreciate that there is a big challenge in stopping those who really want to access porn online, but all the evidence suggests that children's first interaction is often by accident," Mr Hancock said. |
| "We are legislating to prevent as much as possible of that inadvertent viewing by those who are not desperately actively seeking to do so. | "We are legislating to prevent as much as possible of that inadvertent viewing by those who are not desperately actively seeking to do so. |
| "I appreciate that the bill is not a utopia, but it is a very important step forward." | "I appreciate that the bill is not a utopia, but it is a very important step forward." |
| Progress made | Progress made |
| Maria Miller, MP for Baskingstoke, reminded MPs that a few years ago Twitter had said it could not take down visual images of children being abused but now there was a code of practice in place to handle this. | Maria Miller, MP for Baskingstoke, reminded MPs that a few years ago Twitter had said it could not take down visual images of children being abused but now there was a code of practice in place to handle this. |
| "Surely where there is a will there is a way," said Mrs Miller. | "Surely where there is a will there is a way," said Mrs Miller. |
| "[Mr Hancock] has already proved that he can make significant progress, so should he not put more pressure on organisations like Twitter?" | "[Mr Hancock] has already proved that he can make significant progress, so should he not put more pressure on organisations like Twitter?" |
| "'Yes,' is the short answer," replied Mr Hancock. | "'Yes,' is the short answer," replied Mr Hancock. |
| "The bill does so, and we will best achieve that pressure by delivering on its proposals and then working with the platforms on the issue of platform-based pornography, because that is a much more difficult technical nut to crack." | "The bill does so, and we will best achieve that pressure by delivering on its proposals and then working with the platforms on the issue of platform-based pornography, because that is a much more difficult technical nut to crack." |
| Children's charity NSPCC would like to see industry-wide minimum standards for child safety on the internet. | Children's charity NSPCC would like to see industry-wide minimum standards for child safety on the internet. |
| "This would mean children will be able to go online safely without being exposed to porn and other inappropriate content, such as violent videos." a spokesman said. | "This would mean children will be able to go online safely without being exposed to porn and other inappropriate content, such as violent videos." a spokesman said. |
| "It's good news that the age verification measures we called for in the Digital Economy Bill are now on their way to becoming law. | "It's good news that the age verification measures we called for in the Digital Economy Bill are now on their way to becoming law. |
| "However, there are lots of other online spaces, including social media, where children will still be able to see pornography." | "However, there are lots of other online spaces, including social media, where children will still be able to see pornography." |
| Twitter declined to comment. | Twitter declined to comment. |