UK Government Apologises For Porn Block Delays

The UK government has issued an apology for the latest delay to the introduction of age checks for internet users wanting to access adult content.

Originally due to be implemented in April 2018, the new ruling was most recently suspended at the end of June because the government failed to correctly notify the European regulators. 

Some campaigners are strongly objecting to the scheme as there are worries that the mass storage of such sensitive information could increase the risk of leaks and hacks.

Digital Minister Margot James, who is overseeing the process, said to the BBC: “I’m extremely sorry that there has been a delay. I know it sounds incompetant. Mistakes do happen, and I’m terribly sorry that it happened in such an important area.”

It’s now expected that the ban won’t come into place until the start of 2020, at the earliest.

Another delay was confirmed in April 2019 as regulators wanted to ensure that every aspect of the law was “right”. However, it is still unclear exactly how the age checks will be enforced, whether identification documents need to be uploaded online or access tokens will be available from local shops.

Chairwoman of the Health and Social Care Committee Sarah Wollaston told the BBC she thinks the extra delay is “outrageous”.

“It’s another example of the government failing to protect children and young people. I’m afraid everything in this place is being kicked down the road because of the delays caused by the leadership election and the Brexit process.”

It’s believed several other European countries are planning to pass similar measures in the near future.

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