UK's new national firewall: O2's "parental control" list blocks Slashdot, EFF, and Boing Boing

Cory Doctorow 8:45 am Mon Dec 23, 2013

The Great Firewall of Cameron is going live, with all British ISPs defaulting their customers to an "adult content filter" — meaning that you have to call up and say, "I demand pornography!" or all the sites on the blacklist will be off-limits to you. Included in O2's "parental control blocklist" are such hotbeds of hardcore porn as Slashdot, EFF, Linux Today, Blogspot, No Starch Press, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and, of course, Boing Boing. The "parental control" list is something you have to ask for (not the default-on filter), but it's being actively marketed to parents as the responsible thing to do. For the record, I've switched my broadband to Andrews and Arnold, who oppose Internet censorship.

New camera system detects litterbug drivers, automatically issues a fine

The BBC has a report (watch the video here) about a new AI system that's being deployed in Maidstone in Kent to penalize motorists tossing crisps bags, ice lolly wrappers, and used johnnies out the window. Cameras installed in areas where littering is a problem take a photo of the offender's license plate and automatically… READ THE REST
UK passengers flying United or Delta to USA must show negative COVID-19 tests

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will require all passengers on flights from the United Kingdom to the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. From Reuters: The decision follows the emergence of a highly infectious new coronavirus variant in Britain that has prompted many countries to shut… READ THE REST
Red phone boxes in Yorkshire more likely to have non-phone uses now

Smartphones have relegated iconic red British telephone boxes to things of the past, but they are being preserved and repurposed. In fact, Yorkshire now has more repurposed boxes than working phone boxes.Via The Yorkshire Post: READ THE REST
Goodtimer might just bring your parent-child war to an end, and it's 30% off now

Raising kids is a grind, a 24/7/365 all-encompassing responsibility that never truly ends. But even as all-important as that job is, it's no surprise that all the other overwhelming responsibilities parents face in their daily lives occasionally make them take their eye off the ball when it comes to the kids. Are they following Mom and… READ THE REST
At $99, the ScoutPro is an all-in-one beast for cabled and wireless charging

For low-impact device users, all that's needed is a simple charger that they can throw in their pocket or bag, ready to supply an efficient little power jolt for flagging devices when they're running on empty. But for users with deeper power needs, those rocking a handful of different devices who might need to charge… READ THE REST
Get $100 worth of Restaurant.com gift card credit for $18

While the past year probably helped advance your culinary skills immeasurably… you're thinking what we're thinking, right? With vaccinations rising and restrictions loosening, it's time to get back out there and enjoy restaurants again. From big chains to local eateries, we all know they haven't been doing all that great lately. But with this offer… READ THE REST