New O2 age verification blocks Brook charity

Mobile phone network O2 has faced criticism after a new age verification system for mobile internet access incorrectly blocked access to many websites, including a well known charity.

Previously O2 had provided an optional internet filtering service to customers who requested it. Recently, though, a new system was added that blocks access to websites deemed unsuitable for children until the phone owner verifies their age.

An O2 spokesperson told Computeractive that the change was made "for child protection - because this is a better way to do it", and that the filter was applied to accounts registered to adults as "parents sometimes buy phones on behalf of their children".

They added that the company had made it "as easy as possible" for adults to verify their age.

However, many users complained that sites were being incorrectly blocked. In particular the website of the charity Brook, which provides sexual health advice for young people, became suddently unavailable to O2 customers aged under 18.

An O2 spokesperson said that website classification decisions were made by a third party according to guidelines set out by the IMCB, and that the company "was not censoring, or making any judgments at all".

It acknowledged that several sites had been incorrectly classified, and said that changes to the filter had already been requested.

Other UK mobile phone networks offer similar web filters based on the IMCB code.

Brook has confirmed that it has been contacted by O2 about the problem. O2 told Computeractive that customers who find an incorrectly classified website should contact customer services.