Communications provider TalkTalk has agreed to review and remove restrictions on shooting-related websites following discussions with the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Some websites have been automatically categorised as over-18 by TalkTalk’s filtering software, HomeSafe. TalkTalk is now working with BASC to help improve access to websites with content about lawful shooting interests. TalkTalk has joined Vodafone and Virgin Mobile in reviewing similar automatic restrictions.
Conor O’Gorman, BASC’s policy development manager, said: “Shooting is widely enjoyed by people of all ages and is an important part of the countryside. It generates £1.6 billion pounds for the economy every year, brings conservation benefits and helps to protect the food supply. BASC is committed to removing unnecessary restrictions on shooting-related web content. We welcome TalkTalk’s positive approach to the issue and look forward to continuing to work with them.”
James Horne, founder of GunsOnPegs, whose website gunsonpegs.com was affected, said “BASC is doing a splendid job in working with companies such as TalkTalk to ensure that people can continue to use the internet to find out more about shooting and conservation.”
BASC has set up a web page which people can use to see which websites have been unblocked and to report blocked websites. Please click here for more information.