UK Internet Ban Extends To More Than Just Pornography

UK Prime Minister David Cameron proposed an internet block to prevent online pornography images being shared and viewed across cyberspace, including rape. However, with very little choice in the matter as people have to “opt out” of the “proposal” (implying they would be kept on record and their information and activity easily tracked because of this) it isn’t just the topic of pornography that will see internet bans.

Should people allow this block to be put in place, things which will be filtered include: “As well as pornography, users may automatically be opted in to blocks on “violent material”, “extremist related content”, “anorexia and eating disorder websites” and “suicide related websites”, “alcohol” and “smoking”. But the list doesn’t stop there. It even extends to blocking “web forums” and “esoteric material”, whatever that is. “Web blocking circumvention tools” is also included, of course.” – (http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/27/pornwall)

What do these terms even mean? Some argue that “esoteric material” actually means Paganism and the Occult; or “Not Christian”. Some have argued that none of these words have actual meaning, as the Government will assign meaning to whatever they please. In short, anything they can get away with blocking at any given time.

Many people across the UK, who are not tech savvy or who tend not to opt out of defaults, will accept this. What these people are failing to realise is that this is actually censorship. The very kind we saw during World War 1 and 2, yet taking place in cyberspace as opposed to newspapers and radio. Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Whilst it’s necessary to prevent things like child pornography, why should taxpaying adults be denied the right to indulge their own sexual fantasies? (those involving consenting adults). Furthermore, why has David Cameron swiftly brushed over the fact that it isn’t just pornography that’s going to be filtered?

People need to stop being lazy and wake up to the regime that’s being imposed on them. If it’s censorship and outright propaganda in the mainstream media now, what’s next? A dictatorship? It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to entertain the idea. After all, isn’t that how Nazi Germany began?