IWF backs down over Wikipedia

The Internet Watch Foundation has withdrawn its objection to a Wikipedia page that contained an image of a naked girl on an album cover. The online watchdog had flagged the album cover, released in 1976, by the German band Scorpions as "potentially illegal child sexual abuse". Several UK ISPs then blocked access to the Wiki page, censoring the image and the content. However, the IWF has now backed down and decided to remove the page in question from its watch list following representation from Wikipedia. The IWF said in a statement that the decision to remove the Wiki page comes "in light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability". The watchdog admitted that their actions had the inverse effect of the foundations aim, to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet. "On this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users," the IWF said. Wikipedia applauded the decision. Mike Godwin, general counsel for the Wikimedia Foundation said: "We recognise the good intentions of internet watch groups, including their focus on blocking and discouraging illegal content. "Nevertheless, this incident underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the processes of the Internet Watch Foundation and similar bodies around the world," Godwin continued. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Killer www.iwf.org.uk Save up to £16 a year this Christmas when you subscribe to Web User!