Mobile operator Vodafone UK, and possibly other Mobile Broadband providers, have been accused of being too aggressive with their internet adult content filter after it was discovered to be blocking legitimate commercial websites for two leading clothes and underwear retailers (Bravissimo and Figleaves).

The issue was discovered by a well known digital rights and policy activist, James Firth, whom came across the restriction while using an iPhone connected to the Vodafone network. Customers can of course opt-out of the block, although we found Vodafone's procedure for this to be very tedious and it also makes all internet porn available again. The kids probably already know how to circumvent such blocks anyway.

In fairness we've often wondered about how ISPs would approach the thorny issue of underwear. We all wear it, men, women and child alike (well.. some don't :glee:), but we've also all seen "those catalogues" and the images inside. It's interesting to debate whether or not such things should be blocked.

Let's not forget that Children can see and buy related items in the shops, just as readily as almost any other piece of clothing, which often also feature big posters with similar imagery. As a result the vast majority of us grow up viewing it as normal and not something that is overtly pornographic. We don't know of any High Street stores that hide this away in a private section.


In the meantime Bravissimo and Figleaves could be losing money, especially when some supermarket websites, which feature similar content, still appear to be available. It seems that being big can sometimes make you immune to censorship, which hardly seems fair.

What do readers think? Should mobile operators and ISPs block sites that feature underwear? More to the point, have any of you spotted identical restrictions on different operators? We've already tried Three (3) but they did not appear to restrict underwear sites.