ISPs sign nationwide deal to ban child porn

All cable providers in the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) have singed up to the pact, which will mean they block sites listed as carrying child pornography held by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

"We are deeply grateful for this industry-wide attack on child pornography," said Ernie Allen, president of NCMEC.

"It is not possible to arrest and prosecute every offender. We must be creative and build new public-private partnerships to address this insidious problem more effectively. Today's announcement represents a bold step forward."

The pact also means servers hosting such material cannot be owned or run by the companies and they can report instances where that is happening to the authorities.

“Although NCMEC has recently signed similar agreements with individual companies, this agreement is notable as the first such agreement NCMEC has reached with an entire sector of the nation’s communications industry,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch.

“The NCTA agreement with NCMEC will limit the ability of predators to store and exchange images of exploitation of those who are, by definition, among the more vulnerable in society. We congratulate the cable industry for taking a strong stand in support of child safety.”

The signees are also looking at ways to extending the elimination of such material on other mediums, such as news groups.

"Building on our strong commitment to online safety, the cable industry wants to help combat child pornography and exploitation," said Kyle McSlarrow, president of the NCTA.

“By signing the NCMEC MOU, cable Internet service providers are reaffirming their strong commitment to online safety and Internet literacy for all American families."

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