Shameless porn enthusiasts in the U.K., beware; your days of getting aroused using public Wi-Fi connections are over.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is a promoting a new code of conduct statute that will prohibit Internet users from viewing pornography on public Wi-Fi hotspots in places like train stations and cafes.
“We are promoting good, clean, Wi-Fi in local cafes and elsewhere to make sure that people have confidence in public Wi-Fi systems so that they are not going to see things they shouldn’t,” Cameron said, according to the Telegraph.
Cameron’s new initiative has long been supported by the Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety. On March 29, the coalition sent a letter to English Internet providers urging them to create web filters that block pornography on public Wi-Fi connections.
“Wi-Fi providers should take care not to facilitate access to hardcore pornography and other age inappropriate materials in what are, essentially, public or semi-public spaces where children and young people are regularly to be found,” read the coalition’s letter, according to Wired. “This is not about free speech. There are many alternative venues available for anyone wishing to access adult content over the internet. This is about child protection, common decency, a time and a place.”
At this point, the porn ban is just a campaign-trail proposal, but a spokesperson for Cameron said the Prime Minister has met with Wi-Fi providers about the feasibility of adding content filters.
It is unclear what sort of penalty a person would face for viewing porn in public should Cameron’s clean Wi-Fi idea ever become law.
Illustration by Fernando Alfonso III