Monday, 08 December 2008
Wikipedia Image Furore
Yesterday, I was using Wikipedia for research purposes. However, when I went to read a discussion page to find out why the page I wanted no longer existed, I came across a strange message. It said that my ISP would not let me view the discussion pages because of something illegal (I don't remember the exact wording). I scratched my head in utter confusion.
Today, I found out the full reason: Wikipedia Child Image Censored. Now, I don't want to argue whether or not the Internet Watch Foundation were correct in their assessment of it (although the image has apparently never been ruled illegal). What I'm not happy about, however, is the fact that I was denied my right to read about something entirely unrelated to this issue (in fact, I was looking up a computer game about sport). I could read several articles on Wikipedia, but I could not access the discussion or edit pages. Why?
Apparently, Wikipedia gives the answer to my question in the offending article:
"Under the Cleanfeed content blocking system, the block was accomplished by ISP proxy systems impersonating Wikipedia's servers, which had the side effects of degrading performance and left site administrators with little option but to block a significant portion of the UK from editing Wikipedia or creating accounts."
Which sucks. Wikipedia is a very useful Website, mostly managed by volunteers. Sometimes, something controversial might end up on one of its pages. Blocking access to it because of one image is an overreaction, especially if it's done in a way that affects the Website's performance, resulting in the necessity for yet more blocks. Surely there was a better way for the ISPs to deal with this issue?
I can use Wikipedia now, and I'm happy. But this worries me - will it happen again in future, say if the IWF decide an image such as this one might be illegal? And if Wikipedia isn't safe from such paranoid overreaction, how far could this go? After all, other respectable Websites have images of naked children used in album cover art, too.
Issues such as child pornography are very serious, but they need to be handled sensibly. Let's keep the paranoia to a minimum, and engage our brains before making decisions about how best to deal with sensitive matters like this, please?
