ISPs to block child porn sites
2008-06-10 13:31
Paris - French internet providers have agreed to block foreign-based websites that disseminate child pornography, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie announced on Tuesday.
Under an agreement with the government, providers have committed to shut down sites identified by cyber crime police squads in a bid to block access to child pornography, the minister told a conference on digital technology.
"The state will assume the responsibility for advising access providers of child pornography content," said Alliot-Marie.
A bill formalising the restrictions will be submitted to parliament in the autumn, she added. Similar measures have been put in place in Britain and the United States.
President Nicolas Sarkozy's government last month discussed measures to curtail child pornography on the internet during a cabinet meeting and agreed to launch an awareness campaign.
"More than one million child pornography images have been posted," said Nadine Morano, the secretary of state for family policy.
"Families must understand that the danger is inside their homes," she said. "It's not about criticising the internet but simply organising safe access for children."