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2014/03/07 17:44:05
Subject: UK Porn Filter Architect Arrested On Child Porn Charges
UK Porn Filter Architect Arrested On Child Porn Charges
from the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do dept
The UK government has spent years trying to impose its version of morality upon the Internet, demanding that ISPs impose mandatory opt-out porn filters, even if those filters have since been easily bypassed and often block entirely legitimate websites. Worse, the UK government has seemed intent on throwing itself face-first down the slippery slope of censorship, with plans to expand these filters to block arbitrarily-defined "extremist" content. Prime Minister David Cameron has repeatedly and loudly proclaimed to anyone who'll listen his sole mission is to "protect the children" from the beasts that dwell in the "darkest corners of the Internet." In the process he's blamed nearly everyone, including Google and Yahoo, for not doing enough to thwart child porn.
Apparently, people who live in glass houses should not throw thermonuclear warheads (I think that's how that saying goes). Reports have emerged that top Cameron aide Patrick Rock -- who helped draw up proposals for the country's Internet porn filters -- has been arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography. There seems to be some heated criticism pointed Cameron's direction for keeping the issue quiet, with several UK news outlets also suggesting Rock was given a little extra time between his dismissal and his arrest:
"Mr Cameron's official spokesman has confirmed that No 10 was first made aware of the alleged offence regarding child abuse imagery on the evening of February 12. The matter was immediately referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Mr Rock resigned his position as deputy head of the policy unit. In the early hours of the morning of February 13 he was arrested at his home in London."
So if this timeline is correct (and the Guardian seems a little murkier on those specifics) the government was made aware of Rock's offense on February 12, Rock "resigned" on February 12, but he wasn't arrested until February 13 after the government contacted the NCA. Presumed innocent and all that, but it seems a touch hypocritical and inconsistent to whine like a screaming banshee for years about how everybody else isn't doing enough to protect the children, while your own staff member and architect of your porn filters is storing child porn on his PC. It's of course notably worse if it's found the government gave Rock a little extra time before law enforcement came calling (though perhaps the NCA just moves slower when it's higher ranking officials).
Regardless, I think it's time for UK ISPs to begin developing sophisticated algorithms capable of filtering out David Cameron's bad ideas from the public discourse.
Doesn't he realise that proxy websites exist for a reason?
See, you're trying to use people logic. DM uses Mandelogic, which we've established has 2+2=quack. - Aerethan
Putin.....would make a Vulcan Intelligence officer cry. - Jihadin
AFAIK, there is only one world, and it is the real world. - Iron_Captain
DakkaRank Comment: I sound like a Power Ranger.
TFOL and proud. Also a Forge World Fan.
I should really paint some of my models instead of browsing forums.
2014/03/07 18:18:31
Subject: UK Porn Filter Architect Arrested On Child Porn Charges
Due to the Uk's draconian child protection laws it is possible to have 'indecent images of children' entirely innocently. The law is very crudely written and can tarnish people easily (example fine art .image files), and the police are highly dogmatised on this subject (example Operation Orb).
This could be politicised, and due tom its nature everyone is distancing from this man like a live grenade, on the other hand he might have a hard disk full of sick stuff.
Even if he has it might not be his. I heard of one case of a man arrested for a stash of child porn images taken from a disk in his car. Everyone assumed it was his and ignored all protests to the contrary, it actually belonged to his wife. It didn't occur to the police that a woman might commit these offences.
I also heard of a man arrsted after his credit card details were stolen and used to access child porn, even though he proved himself innocent he never escaped suspicion and eventually took his own life.
I am always sceptical about cases of child porn because there is only one social verdict - guilty. To the police, especially female police officers, anyone who looks innocent is just a guilty pervert who looks clever enough to get away with it.
Even when the police do admit to getting it wrong they are unapologetic considering the wrecked lives justifiable in the cause of rooting out child porn.
I will wait for an actual conviction before condemning this man I suggest you do likewise.
n'oublie jamais - It appears I now have to highlight this again.
It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. By the juice of the brew my thoughts aquire speed, my mind becomes strained, the strain becomes a warning. It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion.
2014/03/07 18:25:26
Subject: UK Porn Filter Architect Arrested On Child Porn Charges
As a general rule I think that's true of police with most crimes Orlanth. Take that guy who got arrested for arms smuggling when he 'got lost' and entered Canada. Of course the 'I got lost officer' excuse isn't going to fly far the officer just assumes he's lying his butt off. Issue is that while someone might sympathize with an arms smuggler or murder enough to defend them and say that their treatment is unfair, no one sympathizes with pedophiles so no one jumps to their defense at all.
If these accusations are true, I'll laugh for weeks though. That's almost too good to be true though.
As Orlanth suggests however, due process, not trial by internet, is the way to deal with these sorts of things.
Then hang em.
Its hard to be awesome, when your playing with little plastic men. Welcome to Fantasy 40k
If you think your important, in the great scheme of things. Do the water test.
Put your hands in a bucket of warm water,
then pull them out fast. The size of the hole shows how important you are.
I think we should roll some dice, to see if we should roll some dice, To decide if all this dice rolling is good for the game.
2014/03/10 01:10:51
Subject: UK Porn Filter Architect Arrested On Child Porn Charges
Regardless, I think it's time for UK ISPs to begin developing sophisticated algorithms capable of filtering out David Cameron's bad ideas from the public discourse.
I think this is the best suggestion that i have heard in a long time Now we just need to find a way to chain him under a rock for eternity.
(P.S. my verdict is guilty and his punishment should be execution by angry mothers )
Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
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