New Zealand floats controversial plan to stop 'avalanche of pornography'
The New Zealand government has proposed a controversial crackdown on porn, and Pornhub is not happy with the proposed changes.
According to Newshub, the changes will prevent kids from accessing pornographic material online and could include a nationwide filter, requiring residents provide proof of age when accessing pornographic sites.
According to NZ Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, lawmakers are concerned about the “avalanche of pornography" accessible to young people and are considering introducing the restriction for citizens under the age of 18.
“We have to move quickly and as quickly as possible and in the most appropriate way to make sure we are protecting our children and young people," Martin said in August.
Not surprisingly, the changes have been opposed by major online adult streaming companies.
Pornhub vice president Corey Price told News Hub the company opposes the legislative changes being considered.
According to News Hub, Pornhub says they have already taken action to prevent young people accessing material on their site.
Pornhub also said their website is “Restricted to Adults compliant” and parental controls can block the content.
"We firmly believe that parents are best placed to police their children's online activity using the plethora of tools already available in modern operating systems and devices," Price told Newshub.
Price said he was concerned that if the new restrictions are enforced in New Zealand, parents will feel they no longer have to monitor what their children are viewing online.
The restrictions appear to be similar to a scheme being rolled out in the United Kingdom this year.
The British restrictions were due to be implemented earlier this year before being delay until July 15, but have since been delayed again.
The new laws will mean people in the UK have to verify their age before accessing pornographic websites.
As critics have pointed out, one way around such restrictions could be using a VPN (virtual private network) which masks the user’s location and gives the option for the internet user to say they are in another country.
However, the government in the UK has threatened offending websites with losing their payment services or being blocked within the UK.
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