Another day, another Tory party flop. After months of delay, the government has finally decided to shelve its extremely futile porn block, bringing an end to legislation dysfunction.
Initially due to come into effect last April, the block would have required ID from all people visiting porn sites to prove that they are over 18. Now, in news that should devastate no-one, the ban “will not be commencing” due to legal difficulties.
In a statement, Nicky Morgan, the digital secretary, insisted that “the government’s commitment to protecting children online is unwavering”. She added that the move to scrap the ban would give porn sites “discretion on the most effective means for companies to meet their duty of care.”
It’s unfortunate, but predictable, that the government has dropped the ban on account of legal issues, rather than the myriad of public objections it raised. Privacy campaigners protested that the age verification services would be given unprecedented access to track users’ and browsing habits, which could then be leaked. Essentially, another ‘Great Hack’ situation waiting to happen.
There’s also the threat the ban posed to porn creators, particularly smaller independent companies and producers representing diverse bodies, and focusing on female and queer pleasure. Not to mention that the whole idea notion of a porn ban couldn’t feel more archaic.
It’s about time the Torys turned their attention to something actually worthwhile: for starters, how about banning Boris Johnson from Snapchat?