Virgin Mobile has agreed to lift age-related restrictions on shooting websites following discussions with the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
BASC will work with Virgin mobile to unblock any shooting sites incorrectly categorized as ‘over-18’ by content filters. BASC will also approach other mobile phone network providers if problems are reported.
Conor O’Gorman BASC’s policy development manager said: “Lawful shooting sports have been caught up unnecessarily by these automatic blocks and whilst it is possible for the mobile user to change their settings and remove age restrictions, this is only treating the symptom and not the cause. We welcome Virgin mobile’s positive approach to removing unwarranted censorship and hope their example will go a long way towards persuading others in the mobile industry to follow their lead.”
BASC has set up a web page with more information and a list of shooting websites which BASC has asked Virgin Mobile to unblock. The page also contains a list of other mobile phones companies which are reported to have similar content restrictions. Please click here.