GNG News Guy
02-27-2008, 11:11 AM
http://i.dslr.net/urls/66/3566.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Utah-Wants-Wholesome-Seal-Of-Approval-For-ISPs-92197)
Some time ago, Utah lawmakers decided they'd like to divide the Internet into an "adult content channel" and a "family content channel." The proposed system would do this via ports: boobies and people who use the word "shit" would be relegated to a certain port, allowing concerned parents or ISPs to filter out the Internet's naughty bits.
At the heart of the push is an anti-pornography group named CP80 (http://www.cp80.org/). CP80 is led by SCO Chairman Ralph Yarro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Yarro_III), who was involved in SCO's Linux ownership claims and subsequent assault on IBM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCO_v._IBM_Linux_lawsuit). CP80 argues that not only is Internet porn dangerous for individuals and families, but also financially burdensome to businesses (http://www.cp80.org/impacts).
The group has attempted to pass a string of unsuccessful bills and resolutions, including the "ports for porn" effort, as well as a bill aimed at holding Wi-Fi hotspot owners legally liable for transmitted material. The latest Utah effort is HB407 (http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/02/26/1757252.shtml), a bill that would require ISPs to be given a wholesome seal of approval (http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695256344,00.html):Utah Internet service providers could earn a state-approved "G-rating" for filtering content and insuring that users could not access pornography under provisions in a bill heard by a House committee on Monday. HB407, sponsored by Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, would require the Utah Division of Consumer Protection to create a designation for providers who prevent access to "prohibited" material.
The bill (http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/hbillint/hb0407.htm) would require the State Attorney general to create this "seal of approval" for ISPs willing to block content deemed controversial (who decides this isn't made clear), and then fine these ISPs or users $10,000 per violation. The bill also requires ISPs to prohibit users from "publishing any prohibited communication," track user violations by IP address, and filter any content deemed offensive "within a reasonable time."
Obviously ISPs aren't too keen on the idea, nor are content providers Google and Yahoo, who are actively fighting the effort in the State.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Utah-Wants-Wholesome-Seal-Of-Approval-For-ISPs-92197)
Some time ago, Utah lawmakers decided they'd like to divide the Internet into an "adult content channel" and a "family content channel." The proposed system would do this via ports: boobies and people who use the word "shit" would be relegated to a certain port, allowing concerned parents or ISPs to filter out the Internet's naughty bits.
At the heart of the push is an anti-pornography group named CP80 (http://www.cp80.org/). CP80 is led by SCO Chairman Ralph Yarro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Yarro_III), who was involved in SCO's Linux ownership claims and subsequent assault on IBM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCO_v._IBM_Linux_lawsuit). CP80 argues that not only is Internet porn dangerous for individuals and families, but also financially burdensome to businesses (http://www.cp80.org/impacts).
The group has attempted to pass a string of unsuccessful bills and resolutions, including the "ports for porn" effort, as well as a bill aimed at holding Wi-Fi hotspot owners legally liable for transmitted material. The latest Utah effort is HB407 (http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/02/26/1757252.shtml), a bill that would require ISPs to be given a wholesome seal of approval (http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695256344,00.html):Utah Internet service providers could earn a state-approved "G-rating" for filtering content and insuring that users could not access pornography under provisions in a bill heard by a House committee on Monday. HB407, sponsored by Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, would require the Utah Division of Consumer Protection to create a designation for providers who prevent access to "prohibited" material.
The bill (http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/hbillint/hb0407.htm) would require the State Attorney general to create this "seal of approval" for ISPs willing to block content deemed controversial (who decides this isn't made clear), and then fine these ISPs or users $10,000 per violation. The bill also requires ISPs to prohibit users from "publishing any prohibited communication," track user violations by IP address, and filter any content deemed offensive "within a reasonable time."
Obviously ISPs aren't too keen on the idea, nor are content providers Google and Yahoo, who are actively fighting the effort in the State.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Utah-Wants-Wholesome-Seal-Of-Approval-For-ISPs-92197)