topic Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT in Other Products and Services

O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 09:19:59 GMT

I had the content lock put on my phone yesterday and have had no choice but to have it taken off again...The filter is just TOO strict. It's so strict I couldn't access basic shopping websites like boots.co.uk or check footie scores on sky sports website for example...Other network providers have different content lock settings ie STRICT or MODERATE.If o2 had these settings then the content lock would be far more practical.
To all who read if you agree please reply.The more people in agreement the more likely changes will be made...Most parents want to protect their children from certain content but this lock is so strict it may as well block the Internet altogether.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 09:26:56 GMT

Hi

I had the 18 age restriction removed as I needed to access some betting sites at the time.

However I support any filter that stops certain content from reaching minors.

O2 help link http://www.o2.co.uk/help/everything-else/age-restricted-content-and-age-verification

You do have this option "Sometimes we might block a site by mistake – if you think we've blocked something unnecessarily, or we've missed an inappropriate website, you can ask us to review the website by getting in touch with customer services."

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

jonsie — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 09:34:39 GMT

There are many threads on this since it was introduced and most people have it removed. Personally I think the default should be off and then up to parents to have it applied when buying either a contract or P&G phone for their children. Sadly, through ignorance or apathy many don't which is possibly why O2 are being responsible.

I do however think the filters should be rethought and quickly, too many innocuous sites are blocked.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Cleoriff — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:00:48 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
There are many threads on this since it was introduced and most people have it removed. Personally I think the default should be off and then up to parents to have it applied when buying either a contract or P&G phone for their children. Sadly, through ignorance or apathy many don't which is possibly why O2 are being responsible.
I do however think the filters should be rethought and quickly, too many innocuous sites are blocked.

Is this Content lock something you have to download then @jonsie ? I have never thought much about it before as my phone is for me and not minors so I would have no use for it.....

However if I had it and it blocked sites like Amazon or anything else I use regularly...i could see me binning it as well...:smileysad:

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:04:17 GMT

So a few good points made, although it doesn't happen often I'm going to disagree with u on this one @jonsie , I agree it should be on by default and then if u want have it removed...

As for the points raised before here I come with the terms and conditions (I know, I need to get a life...)

Age restricted content

To protect children, young people and vulnerable people, we block access to 18+ content which is classified by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification), in accordance with the OFCOM code of practise and UK and EU regulation.

If a site has been rated 18+ you won't be able to access it without giving us proof of age.

Blocked sites

Sites are normally considered 18+ because they contain content such as pornography or violence, or relate to illegal activity such as hacking, phishing, hate and drugs.

Sometimes we might block a site by mistake – if you think we've blocked something unnecessarily, or we've missed an inappropriate website, you can ask us to review the website by getting in touch with customer services.

I've underlined the two key things that I think @Anonymous commented on. The way web sites get block is either because they have a +18 certificate or in error.

The +18 certificate, well...It's the law, what can I say, it has to be barred. If it is a mistake all u have to do is ring customer services and if It's agreed it's been blocked in error it will be corrected in 4 working days, so if this is happening with you @Anonymous it needs to be flagged.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

jonsie — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:14:12 GMT

Whilst I agree with you to a certain point @Anonymous my main concern is that the filter needs to looked at and improved. When sites like sky sports and other perfectly innocent sites get blocked it can be infuriating.

Unfortunately O2 have no idea if the phone, be it contract or pay and go is purchased for a minor who needs to be protected or for someone of advancing years who has no need of protection.

It is the type of filter that needs to be looked at in my opinion. Yes, it's easy to get removed but more people would leave protection on the phone if only the correct type of sites where blocked.

For example, as in the OP...Little Johnny complains to daddy that he can't get onto sky sports, daddy calls up and has the block removed and then little Johnny can now access the type of sites that daddy doesn't want little Johnny seeing...you see what I'm getting at?

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

viridis — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:43:28 GMT

It amazes me still to this day, that with the content filter on, genuine health advice sites aimed at teens are blocked but twitter is not.
Twitter is at LEAST 70%filth.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:45:37 GMT

@viridis wrote:
It amazes me still to this day, that with the content filter on, genuine health advice sites aimed at teens are blocked but twitter is not.
Twitter is at LEAST 70%filth.

Really.

Must admit tho I only use Twitter to follow some blog sites etc.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

jonsie — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:45:55 GMT

@viridis wrote:
It amazes me still to this day, that with the content filter on, genuine health advice sites aimed at teens are blocked but twitter is not.
Twitter is at LEAST 70%filth.

I have to agree, it seems anything goes on there and much of it very distasteful!

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Cleoriff — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:49:14 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
@viridis wrote:
It amazes me still to this day, that with the content filter on, genuine health advice sites aimed at teens are blocked but twitter is not.
Twitter is at LEAST 70%filth.
I have to agree, it seems anything goes on there and much of it very distasteful!

As well as a hell of a lot of trolling...

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

anticpated — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:24:15 GMT

That's Internet politics for you, blocking social media websites would kill off the service. I think the problem with sport websites is that they advertise and are tracked by gambling websites. Perhaps they need to be a bit more careful with their content management.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

MI5 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:56:36 GMT

@anticpated wrote:
I think the problem with sport websites is that they advertise and are tracked by gambling websites. Perhaps they need to be a bit more careful with their content management.

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing.....

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 14:50:35 GMT

I think you are right @anticpated , just been to sky sports page and there is betting on there, so if there's gambling it's classed as +18, as that is the legal age to be allowed to gamble.

Tried boots, and no clue!No idea! Maybe worth flagging it?!

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

MI5 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:19:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Tried boots, and no clue!No idea! Maybe worth flagging it?!

Can you order precriptions or controlled medication on the website?

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:08:10 GMT

Thanks for replies ppl..Some valid points have been made there's gambling ads on sky sports hence why it's blocked.but jonsie sums it up...The content lock o2 uses needs changing or improving. My last network provider had a good system so I know it's easily possible for O2 to do also.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:15:23 GMT

Been a good debate.

Perhaps our site management @MarinaP @Toby can feed this back up the chain.

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

Cleoriff — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:01:38 GMT

@MI5 wrote:

Can you order precriptions or controlled medication on the website?

You used to be able to get repeat prescriptions. Also you can get quite a few poisons like peroxide and certain glues...They sell a lot of herbal medications also
I often use Boots online and am amazed at the stuff you can buy.....

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

MI5 — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:05:58 GMT

Cleoriff wrote:
You used to be able to get repeat prescriptions. Also you can get quite a few poisons like peroxide and certain glues...They sell a lot of herbal medications also
I often use Boots online and am amazed at the stuff you can buy.....

That would explain the block on that site too then.......

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

jonsie — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:07:45 GMT

There'll be a block on this site too soon

Re: O2 CONTENT LOCK TOO STRICT

viridis — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 19:18:35 GMT

You called?