UK Video Game Execs Grouse About Being Blocked by Porn Filter

UNITED KINGDOM—Video game executives in the United Kingdom are reportedly concerned that people are not able to download updates to games because they are being blocked by the nation’s new porn filters. The supposed cause of the latest interrupted download is that same prickly word that has apparently resulted in other sites being blocked by the filters that become mandatory for all ISPs this year.   In a latest report via MCV, “An automated firewall created by leading UK internet firms—put in place as part of Prime Minster David Cameron’s child internet safety campaign—has reportedly blocked an update for League of Legends because it featured the word ‘sex’ in the filename.” David Solari, CMO of online game studio Jagex, told the site, “While we understand and support the government’s need to protect the population from undesirable content, it is important that such measures do not impact British online businesses.” Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends, hasn’t actually received any complaints about the issue, added MCV, but said it is “looking into how it could affect our players and how we can ensure it doesn’t become an issue.” The head of the trade group for “UK’s wider interactive entertainment industry,” Dr. Jo Twist added, “The games industry is always keen to make sure children are protected from harmful content. We are concerned, however, with the potential impact of web filters in blocking games content that is not harmful to children. We have been meeting with the main ISPs to have more clarity around how their filters are being applied.” One of the ISPs, Talk Talk, said it doesn’t think its filter is the cause of any failed downloads of League of Legends, but agreed to “launch a full investigation if we’re provided with details of customers affected.”