HOME OFFICE News
Release (196/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18
November 2008
State-of-the art
filtering technology will now enable parents, schools, businesses
and web users in the UK to further restrict access to websites
which advocate or promote terrorism, the Home Secretary announced today.
Following joint work between the internet industry and
Government, web users now have the opportunity to download
software allowing them to restrict access to websites which may
encourage the endorsement or participation in acts of terrorism.
Jacqui Smith announced the initiative in order that parents and
guardians of vulnerable young people will be able to further
enhance internet safety for their home computers. The software can
be downloaded voluntarily and is available to parents, schools,
colleges and businesses.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists is the
major long-term challenge we face. I want to give parents and
guardians the power to decide what content is downloaded on their
computers at home, which is why we have worked hard to develop
these tools with various software companies.
"Building on the work we have done around child protection
on the Internet, this software is a significant step in making the
Internet a safer place for vulnerable people and these tools will
also offer our schools, colleges and businesses further safety nets.
"It is reassuring that filtering software companies are
taking the threat of on-line terrorism seriously and have
developed the appropriate tools for all internet users. I would
like to thank them for their hard work".
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. This software launch follows a speech the Home Secretary made
on the 17 January 2008 where she outlined Government engagement
with the Internet industry around radicalisation and violent
extremism on the net. The Government has since been working with
various companies that provide filtering and parental control
software to ensure that their products provide a high level of
protection against material that promotes or encourages terrorism.
2. Many Internet Service Providers offer filtering products as
part of their internet access package, and broadband subscriptions
in the UK usually come with free filtering solutions.
In order to download the software, check whether a free filtering
product is available through your broadband package or from your
Internet Service Provider.
020 7035 3535