Vodacom blocks porn, cyber bully site
2010-11-23 20:29
Johannesburg - The decision by internet access provider Vodacom to block access to a controversial website containing porn and cyber bullying was welcomed by the Film and Publication Board (FPB) on Tuesday.
"It remains within the powers of network providers to take responsible action against identified sites that contain harmful content... by blocking such sites," FPB CEO Yoliswa Makhasi said in a statement.
"We call on other Network Providers to follow suit and take stern action in defence of our children and society against unscrupulous site developers and hosts who seek to expose children to undesirable content," she said.
Access to the controversial Russian-hosted site, Ou Toilet, was blocked by the network provider on Tuesday.
The board had received numerous complaints about the site through the internet, and phone calls.
FPB spokesperson Prince Ndamase said the site contained information about pornographic acts as well as pornographic images. It also contained a forum where cyber bullying was allegedly taking place.
"The forum was full of derogatory posted statements about people and schools... there was also activity regarding the Jules High School rape video, where people were trying to get access to it," Ndamase said.
Grooming for porn
He said possible acts of grooming may be taking place, which had the potential for child pornography, and its distribution and possession, in the future.
"What is worrying is that mostly South African children accessed the site," he said.
Ndamase said the site was referred to the police, who would check for further infringements on the law and review whether it should be shut down.
The FPB were planning to engage with Russian authorities through the International Association of Internet Hotlines (Inhope), a group to which they were recently admitted.
"We will be relentless in drawing attention to such sites and will remain a constant irritation to the hosts and site developers," Makhasi said.
"We trust the police will share their results or preliminary findings about the site soon," she said.
- SAPA