BT (NYSE: BT) is getting itself on the right side of content owners by blocking access to The Pirate Bay for under-18 mobile broadband customers – but it’s nothing to do with the Bay operators’ conviction last week…
BT spokesperson (via TechRadar): “The reason this content needs regulating is that somebody under the age of 18 can sign up for a mobile broadband dongle. This is different to broadband in the home, where consumers need to be 18 to sign up to this sort of contract. When it comes to The Pirate Bay, the reason we have blocked the site is because users can access adult material on it.” That means over-18s are just as free to access the Bay as under-18s who use a home, family broadband connection. So-called “adult” sites via mobile can be accessed after users prove their age with a credit card check, but the definitions can be bizarre – I had to prove my age just to access Flickr via Vodafone’s service. BT’s mobile broadband runs on Vodafone’s network. More detail at paidContent:UK…