Internet newsgroups Internet censorship in the United Kingdom

calls violent adult pornography sites shut down began in 2003, after murder of jane longhurst graham coutts, man said had obsession internet pornography. jane longhurst s mother , sister campaigned tighten laws regarding pornography on internet. in response government announced plans crack down on sites depicting rape, strangulation, torture , necrophilia. however, in august 2005 government announced instead of targeting production or publication, planned criminalise private possession of government termed extreme pornography . defined real or simulated examples of types of sexual violence necrophilia , bestiality. passing of criminal justice , immigration act 2008 resulted in possession of extreme pornographic images becoming illegal in england , wales of january 2009.

the law has been criticised criminalising images no crime took place in creation. additionally, law s placing of liability on consumers rather producers has been criticised creating power imbalance between individual , state. there has never been legal challenge law in uk cost of doing beyond individuals. in 2011, there on 1300 prosecutions under law, compared government estimate of 30 cases year.

in 2004 in scotland, committee of members of scottish parliament backed call ban adult pornography equal opportunities committee supported petition claiming links between porn , sexual crimes , violence against women , children. spokeswoman said while have no plans legislate will, of course, continue monitor situation. in 2007, msps looked again @ criminalising adult pornography, in response call scottish women against pornography pornography classified hate crime against women. opposed feminists against censorship. in september 2008, scotland announced own plans criminalise possession of termed extreme adult pornography, extending law further, including depictions of rape imagery. these plans became law criminal justice , licensing (scotland) act 2010.

in july 2013 david cameron proposed pornography depicts rape (including simulations involving consenting adults) should become illegal in england , wales bringing law in line of scotland. maximum penalty proposed possession of such images three-year jail term. these plans became law criminal justice , courts act 2015.