Dear Mr. Cameron: U.K.'s Love for Porn and Censorship Don't Mix

There's an insatiable demand for Internet porn in the U.K.

Whether it be straight, gay, tranny or BDSM, modern Brits have put their arms around the idea of devouring sexually explicit material in the privacy of their own homes.

Leading credit card processors that handle online sales for adult entertainment businesses say that Brits are at the top of the heap in worldwide porn consumption.

CCBill, a leading processing company, says that that U.K. sales generate the second-largest volume of charges for the company.

Another payment processor, Epoch, counts the U.K. as one of its top-five markets. And GTBill notes that 25 percent of its clicks come from the U.K.

But now U.K. government officials have placed online porn on a crackdown list, and it appears that the porn loving nation is on a collision course with censorship.

We are seeing forms of censorship that not only are an assault on civil liberties, but they are emphatically unfeasible to implement.

Granted, the multibillion-dollar online porn industry has a horse in this race — the business has done very well through the years selling sex — photography, video and live imagery — to a U.K. population that just can't get enough.

The payment processors have spelled it out: Online porn is alive and kicking in the U.K.

But that may not last long if Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, gets his way.

Cameron has proposed a sweeping censorship plan that would block Internet users in the U.K. from accessing porn unless they specifically request otherwise.

His proposal also forces online content to have the same restrictions as DVDs sold in brick-and-mortar shops and makes possession of the most extreme forms of porn a felony.

Cameron's pledge to wage a war on the distribution of adult entertainment, however, likely will have problems if implementation ever gets under way.

Number one on that list is the criteria that would be used to determine what's porn. With so many varying degrees of art, soft-core, educational and scientific sexually explicit imagery, coming up with a bright-line might be improbable.

Another topic needed for discussion is technology. Porn can be accessed via peer-to-peer networks and VPNs and other anonymous communication software. So how will this be blocked? In reality, it's impossible.

Cameron's proposal of employing porn filters on a wholesale level is unnecessary because they already exist for parents if they wish to use them.

With no need for governments to make porn filters mandatory, it indicates that the real agenda behind these new proposed laws is much more about censorship than protecting minors.

Dear Mr. Cameron, get with the times; government has no place imposing morality on its people.

XBIZ will be discussing this topic, among others, at the upcoming XBIZ EU international digital media conference at the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Hotel in central London, Sept. 22-25.

XBIZ EU is a leading international digital media conference that brings together business leaders from around the globe for three days of cutting-edge market trend seminars and technology workshops featuring A-list special guest speakers and exclusive networking special events.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TeamSkeet, MYLF to Launch New Website FamilyStrokes.com

Sister studios TeamSkeet and MYLF are launching a new website, FamilyStrokes.com.

Age Verification Watch: Mainstream Exposure, Ofcom Sets a Date

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the country. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, AV tech providers continue to tout their services, and legal challenges continue to play out in the courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Segpay Names Kristi Greer VP of Sales

Segpay has promoted long-time employee Kristi Greer to the position of vice president of sales.

BranditScan Names Subgirl Newest Brand Ambassador

BranditScan has named content creator Subgirl its newest brand ambassador.

Arcom Reports Age Verification Enforcement Actions Against 5 Adult Sites

French media regulator Arcom released a statement Tuesday detailing recent actions to enforce age verification rules as set forth under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Pineapple Support, Clips4Sale to Host Performers' Partners Support Group

Pineapple Support and Clips4Sale are hosting a free online support group for partners and family members of adult industry professionals.

FSC Mourns the Loss of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes

Free Speech Coalition has released a statement regarding the passing of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes.

Alexa Creed Launches New Paysite

Creator Alexa Creed has launched a new membership site through MyMember.site.

Choice Talent Management Launches Fan Platform 'ChoiceFilmz'

Choice Talent Management CEO Chris Crisco has launched a new fan platform called ChoiceFilmz.

Dredd to Launch Official Site

Dredd has announced his new website OfficialDreddXXX.com, launching April 20.

Show More