Internet service providers (ISPs) could be encouraged to block adult content and pornographic sites automatically unless users opt-in to receiving this kind of content when signing up for a broadband contract.

Prime minister David Cameron is due to meet several leading ISPs to discuss the practicality of these measures.

While most ISPs currently offer a range of filters and blocks intended to prevent children from accessing any content deemed inappropriate by their parents, this method is not considered fail-proof.

This has led MPs to demand a more comprehensive system, but civil liberties campaigners have warned it could interfere with individual rights.

Nick Pickles, of campaigning group Big Brother Watch, said: "As recognised by Ofcom, it is trivial to get around an opt-in blocking system so it would be wrong for this to be used as an excuse to spy on internet activity."

The government's decision to discuss these measures may have been influenced by the ongoing Block Online Porn campaign from the Daily Mail, which hailed its decision as a significant step forward.
 

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