The pro-suicide website which has been arduously linked to over 50 tragic deaths in the UK faces stern action; it’s now being blocked by major broadband providers. UK’s unrivalled provider Sky Broadband has taken a severe stance, barring access to this notorious site for its 5.7 million users. The move is triggered when home users apply its standard filters.
TalkTalk, another significant internet service provider, follows suit by adding the website to its list of inappropriate content – putting the site within the reach of being blocked by its users. These imminent steps are in response to meticulous investigation carried out by the BBC connecting the website to the shocking number of devastating fatalities in the UK.
In a previous report, we learned how the website, operated in an unregulated manner, was easily accessible to everyone, causing great concern for underage internet users. Bereaved family members petitioned UK internet service providers to take decisive action and block the site.
In light of these protests, and with a sense of intrinsic responsibility, Sky Broadband has respond promptly by adding this site to the list of blocked domains under its Sky Broadband Shield safety filter. The digital safety measure is automatically enacted on home routers, allowing the forum to be filtered out of accessibility.
The company asserts its swift action in the matter, ensuring the site is effectively blocked with immediate effect due to its distressingly influential and damaging content. TalkTalk, in tune with Sky Broadband’s action, grants its four million-strong user base the ability to block the site with their HomeSafe safety filter.
Post the investigation’s damning revelations, the pro-suicide site’s administrators posted a defiant message on its homepage. They dismissively brushed off the threats by the regulator Ofcom to blockade the site under the newly formed Online Safety Bill.
David Parfett is one among thousands of aggrieved relatives whose son, Tom, tragically ended his life after enacting steps derived from the forum. Stung by the devastating loss, and yet finding courage in it, Mr Parfett expressed a mix of relief and anger over Sky Broadband’s decision; he opines how such a regulation could have potentially saved his son’s life.
Following a similar trajectory, Catherine Adenekan lost her 23-year-old son, Joe Nihill, who wished for the site to be disabled in his farewell note. Accompanied by Melanie Saville, his sister-in-law, both of them have actively started advocating for other internet service providers to emulate Sky Broadband’s firm stand.
The site’s alleged creator, Lamarcus Small, dismisses the idea of the site being blocked or shut down entirely and shrugs off the issue as insignificant in the face of the larger mental health crisis. His insolent statement faced strong reproach from a stricken Mr Parfett, who sees no place for such people or platforms that encourage suicide, in a civilised society.
The government’s strategic move, the Online Safety Bill, has been newly legislated to fortify internet safety – thus putting the ball in Ofcom’s court. “If services don’t comply, we’ll have a broad range of enforcement powers at our disposal to ensure they’re held accountable,” says Ofcom.
In line with the new bill, global digital music streaming service Spotify has also taken proactive measure. It has disabled a ‘social login’ button on the forum which potentially allowed users of the app to register or log on to the dangerous website. When alerted, Spotify immediately delinked access from the forum, as it held strict actions against any third party developer who enabled the feature unknowingly. The action has potentially nipped a dangerous bud from sprouting into a larger issue of enabling unfettered access to such harmful platforms.
