• France's news in English
 
app_header_v3
French MP demands UK-like blocks on porn sites
Could a pornography filter be on the way for France? Photo: AFP

French MP demands UK-like blocks on porn sites

The Local · 17 Jul 2015, 09:43

Published: 17 Jul 2015 09:43 GMT+02:00

MP Jean-Jacques Candelier of the Democratic and Republican Left says that even though he considers himself to be conservative, he's had enough of the "scourge" of freely available online pornography. 
 
He penned a letter on Tuesday to Laurence Rossignol, the Secretary of State for the Family, Elderly People and Adult Care, asking for the government to introduce "an access code" in France, meaning that adults who want to see pornographic content online must manually opt-in to gain entry.
 
Failing that, Candelier suggested a default blocking of all pornography online, a move he said was inspired by David Cameron's controversial internet filters that came into effect in the UK last year.
 
The MP told France TV Info that porn sites were a risk for minors because they were simply too easy to access. 
 
"You have to realize that children as young as six or seven can come across pornographic content," he said.
 
"I don't condemn the existence of these sites, but they have to be reserved for adults.
 
"We need to put in place a system of access codes that will be asked for every time someone tries to connect to these sites," Candelier added.
 
Story continues below…
The UK porn filters prompted a public outcry from people claiming the block was more of a public censorship than a protection mechanism for children.
 
The move came under fire as opponents noticed that not only pornography were initially filtered, but also services that fought domestic violence, helped with suicide protection, and even offered sex education. 
 
Candelier accepts the system is not perfect but says "the way society is evolving we will reach a point where sites are automatically blocked".

Your comments about this article

Today's headlines
3,000 plain clothed armed guards to patrol French trains
Photo: AFP

France to put 3,000 armed plain clothed guards on its train network.

Plan for 'anti-Kalashnikov walls' at Marseille schools
Police and forensics experts inspect a crime scene after three men were shot and killed in Marseille at the weekend. Photo: AFP

Could "anti-Kalashnikov walls" really be the answer to keep Marseille pupils out of harm's way?

Disneyland Paris worker found dead in haunted house
The haunted house at Disneyland Paris.Photo: AFP

A member of staff working at Disneyland Paris was found dead in the park’s haunted house.

Taxi driver protest to halt transport in Toulouse
Taxi drivers block the airport in Toulouse. File photo: AFP

Not a great day to be travelling in, around, or even out of Toulouse.

Air France stewardesses rebel over order to wear veil
Photo: AFP

Female Air France crew are not happy with having to wear the veil in Tehran, when flights resume this month.

Three men killed in Marseille gang shooting
Police at the scene of Saturday's gang shooting in Marseilles. Photo: Boris Horvat/AFP

"It does not give much hope for future generations," said Samia Ghali, mayor of Marseille's eighth district.

Five Frenchmen killed in Catalonia car crash
Figueres near Barcelona is famous for its Dali museum. Photo: footprints.mika/Flickr

The accident is the latest in a string of deadly car collisions in Spain.

Third man seized over foiled France terror plot
Belgian police. Photo: AFP

"No specific target" identified for foiled attack, prosecutor claims.

Paris ringleader 'chose' not to blow self up
Salah Abdesalam photos taken before the attacks. Photo: AFP

Did Salah Abdeslam chicken out?

Could France really oust English as official EU language?
Photo: AFP

Guest blogger Dave Keating wonders exactly what would happen to the English language if Britain leaves the EU in June.

Sponsored Article
What's the best way for expats to transfer money abroad?
National
Could France really oust English as official EU language?
Find out what changes in France from April 2016
Sport
Paris Marathon: Ten things you need to know
National
The Canal Saint-Martin finally gets its water back
Society
It's once again time to ask why are the French always on strike?
Lifestyle
Instagram: Gorgeous pics to prove spring has finally sprung in France
Features
Welcome to Paris - Where dogs are treated like royalty
National
IN PICTURES: Paris adds giant golden dome to its famous skyline
Lifestyle
Forget buying a house in France when you can buy a whole hamlet
Features
How France will boost security after Brussels terror attacks
International
Solidarité: Eiffel Tower lights up for victims of Brussels attacks
International
VIDEO: Scenes of panic after bomb blast at Brussels airport
VIDEO: New footage emerges of Abdeslam's dramatic capture
Paris victims to grill Hollande on the French fight against Isis
Culture
'English words are invading French like never before'
Society
More and more French are moving abroad, but where to?
Can it work? French drivers urged to be more courteous to others
Lifestyle
Paris is world's 'fifth most expensive city' to live in
Culture
Will Paris's mega leisure complex ever happen?
National
Eight reasons Swiss-French is better than French-French
What were a Russian sub and bomber jets doing off the coast of France?
Find out where in Paris the locals are having the most sex
Travel
IN PICTURES: World's biggest cruise ship takes to the seas for first time
2,976
jobs available