Written question asked by Patrick Mercer (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 March 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Community Relations: Internet

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies providing internet filtering products her Department has worked with to strengthen protection against online material which promotes violent extremism; and what the outcome has been of such work.

Answer: The Home Office is working with a range of companies that provide filtering and/or parental control software which offer products that allow users such as parents and schools to voluntarily restrict access to certain categories of material that may be harmful or offensive. Our engagement with the filtering industry is an ongoing process and I do not propose to provide a list of those we have worked with to date. Some companies, such as Smoothwall, have chosen to announce their participation in this work.These companies are now able to receive from the Home Office details of material which we consider to be unlawful under the Terrorism Act 2006 in order to enhance the protection their products offer against terrorist material.These products offer end-users a tool to make the internet a safer place for children and young people.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 491 c156W; 263166
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Terrorism: Internet
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Internet Terrorism
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk