Porn studio wants Google, Yahoo to help protect kids - News - Software

To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu

--------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Porn studio wants Google, Yahoo to help protect kids

February 15, 2008
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Porn-studio-wants-Google-Yahoo-to-help-protect-kids/0,130061733,339285963,00.htm

The world's leading adult film studio is calling on internet giants Google and Yahoo to "erect stronger barriers" to keep children from viewing online pornography.

Vivid Entertainment co-founder Steven Hirsch said he planned to make his case publicly during a lecture at Yale's School of Management on February 16, during the Ivy League university's "Sex Week."

"None of the search engines and portals, but particularly Yahoo and Google, has taken any significant steps in this direction," Hirsch said today in a written release.

"This is not about First Amendment rights, it is about protecting children."

Vivid is offering to work with any internet company interested in making it tougher for children to be exposed, even accidentally, to adult material online, according to Hirsch.

Hirsch says he wants major internet service providers to aggressively verify ages of people seeking to buy adult content.

Vivid credits its ranking as the top adult film studio to capitalising on technology such as high-definition video, establishing brands, and owning a cable television network.

"We always believed it was important to stay on top of all new technologies," Hirsch said.

"In the end, running the world's biggest adult film studio isn't that much different than running any other studio except that our product is pretty much exclusively about sex."

© 2007 Australian Associated Press Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors. This is the ZDNet Australia TM service with content provided by AAP. AAP reserves all rights, including copyright, in services provided by it. The information, text and images in the service are for personal use only and may not be re-written, copied, re-sold or re-distributed, framed, linked or otherwise used whether for compensation of any kind or not, without the prior written permission of AAP.
This service is published for information only without assuming a duty of care. AAP is not in the business of providing professional advice, and gives no warranty, guarantee or other representation about the accuracy of the information or images contained in this service. AAP is not liable for errors, omissions in, delays or interruptions to or cessation of the services through negligence or otherwise.
The globe symbol and "AAP" are registered trade marks.