Mail Porn Block Fail

The crude and misinformed attempts by some in the Fourth Estate – mainly the obedient hackery of the legendarily foul mouthed Paul Dacre at the Daily Mail – to demonise Google and other search engine providers is a subject that Zelo Street has covered several times this year (see HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE). There was also Amanda Platell’s ill-advised “viewing” of child porn that wasn’t.

That Google actively blocked child porn and reported such sites to law enforcement authorities was lost on the Mail. So was the inconvenient thought that those wanting to view such material did not have to use a search engine to get at it (and, knowing they would leave themselves open to getting nicked, would stay away from such things altogether in pursuit of their pastime).

Still, as there was a campaign going on, there had to be a push for action, and then a proclamation of victory, no matter how trivial the result. And so it has proved: “Google block on child porn: At last! Internet giant axes links to vile sex-abuse websites in stunning victory for Mail campaign” thundered the headline. “Google vows to block child pornography” concurred the Telegraph.

And, as Jon Stewart might have said, two things here. One, as Unity at Ministry of Truth pointed out at the time, the amount of potential child porn not already blocked and reported by the likes of Google was already vanishingly small. And two, the actions described will have next to no effect on the most persistent searcher after such content, as Brian Moore has noted at his blog.

As you will see, as well as an accomplished career with England Rugby, Moore has been a victim of abuse, as well as someone who takes a keen interest in the work of bodies such as the Child Exploitationand Online Protection Centre (CEOP). His conclusions are as stark as they are dispiriting. Quite apart from noting the lack of resources that Government has committed to CEOP, the measures don’t impress.

“The focus on ISP blocking will not touch the vast majority of existing abusers because they do not use search engines … the real criminals use the Dark Net, P2P networks and sophisticated encrypted communications to access and trade in abuse images … if the Government really cares about the abused and wants to catch their abusers, vicarious outrage is of limited use”.

“Manipulation of existing facts dressed up as brave new plans is cynical and a further betrayal of victims. Real commitment to help victims would be the financing of CEOP in full and at a much higher level”. If only the politicians paid as much attention to Moore as they do to the frothings of the Daily Mail. But, sadly, they do not. And the press shows every sign of not even understanding the technology involved.

Make policy at the Paul Dacre’s behest, repent at leisure. No change there, then.