Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2011/03/18/three_to_unfilter_adult_content/

Three to drop mobile smut shield

Pay monthly punters pr0n filters to be pulled down

By Tony Smith

Posted in Networks, 18th March 2011 15:12 GMT

Network operator Three is to stop filtering out smut that monthly subscribers are attempting to view on their mobile phones.

"We know this has frustrated many of you," it said.

Punters on PAYG packages will continue to face blocks when they attempt to view certain web sites - and not just rude ones. Three said its filter also limited access to a number of forums, gambling sites - including the National Lottery - and lads' mag sites.

Three set up the filter to ensure youngsters don't view material inappropriate for their age. That's a requirement of the mobile industry's self-imposed mobile content code of conduct (PDF).

Contract phones are handed over only to buyers aged 18 or more, so Three feels it's right to assume the handsets are being used by adults not minors. But, acknowledging that some contract phones are handed to kids by parents, it said the filter can be re-established for a given handset by by texting the word ‘Filter’ to 33333.

However, parents have only 72 hours from the time the filter is removed to do this. Three said a subscriber's monthly statement will notify them of the switch-off, which it expects to have completed by the end of June. ®