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

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Red phone boxes in Yorkshire more likely to have non-phone uses now

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How to compare mortgage rates from multiple lenders at once

This content is a paid advertisement from Credible Operations, Inc., called "Credible" below. If you click on the links below, Credible will compensate the publisher of this content. The owner of this website and publisher of this content do not endorse or promote the services of Credible or any other provider of mortgage brokerage services.… READ THE REST
The DeskStand delivers an adjustable standing desk experience without a new desk

Now that the global pandemic is subsiding and the world is slowly reopening, it's probably about time to talk about that subject you've been avoiding until now It's time to talk about the Quarantine 15. You know. Those 15 or so pounds that you packed on while you spent a year huddled up at home.… READ THE REST
Love popping bubble wrap? Pop Fidget Anti-Stress Pads offer the same satisfaction

Humans really aren't all that different from the other creatures that inhabit this planet. We laugh when cats ignore expensive cat toys while crawling bags or hopping into boxes. But honestly, are we any different? Case in point: in a world with stress balls, weighted blankets, and even adult coloring books, what's one of the… READ THE REST