• silicon.com
• Technology
• Networks

By Suzanna Kerridge, 21 February 2001 18:30

NEWS Industry observers say the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is desperately under resourced, and cannot hope to make good on its pledge this week, to monitor newsgroups for child pornography. Martino Corbelli, director of marketing at filtering tool firm Surf Control said the
IWF is just too small for the job. "It is a small outfit trying its hardest to make an impact on a problem that is so huge in comparison to them that there is only so much they can do," he said. Corbelli suggested that the UK government should step in, and add to the funding currently provided by ISPs. "Everyone in the internet business should hold their hands up and say something needs to be done. The IWF is in danger of never doing anything greater than monitoring the danger and threat to a minority that says it wants freedom of speech," he added. Keith Monserrat, director of legal and regulation at ISP Thus, claimed the organisation needs help raising national awareness of internet issues such as child pornography. However, he would not be pressed on whether ISPs should increase the contributions they make to IWF's funding. He said: "The IWF is struggling with the complexity of the issue. It needs someone to take it into the national psyche. It needs to be more proactive but to do that it needs more money. If that means being funded in a different way then so be it. The IWF cannot continue the way it has been." Ruth Dixon, assistant chief executive at the IWF defended the watchdog's record and ISP's willingness to provide the necessary funds. She said: "ISPs have born the brunt of funding since April 1997 but they have increased funding in line with what was necessary to undertake and go beyond their responsibility for illegal content. They help us fund education and awareness and our international work." However, she shied away from the issue of government involvement. She said: "Personally, I think the broader the funding the more independence and transparency there is. The funding needs to come from the stakeholders and a wider base rather than the government. Online retailers benefit as well from the public perception of the internet being a safer place."