Optional filter blocks porn from DS Opera browser [Update 1]
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Jul 26th 2006 at 1:32PM }
We felt a great disturbance in the Force here at the DS Fanboy offices, as if millions of preteen boys cried out in frustration and were suddenly silenced ... in Japan, at least. Digital Arts, Inc., a Japanese security firm piggy-backed their optional DS content-filtering service onto the release of the Opera DS browser in Japan. The service, called i-Filter (because i equals cool, right?), will block pornographic or other "undesirable" content for a monthly fee of 315 yen (less than three dollars American).
What is "undesirable" content, exactly? Good question. But Digital Arts promises that their employees personally check which sites to blacklist in order to avoid the blocking of non-offensive sites. Now that's a job to brag about at parties!
"I'm a stockbroker. I have a yacht. And what do you do?"
"Me? Oh, I get paid to surf the internet for offensive content."
That's a win every time. But it probably comes with long hours, considering ....
[Update 1: Clarification issues!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
.ed @ Jul 26th 2006 2:38PM
that title makes it look like its built in to the browser, when it's an optional service from another company. I was gonna be all "nuh-uh!" until i read the gamespot article.
Alisha Karabinus @ Jul 26th 2006 2:40PM
Ah, allow me to edit for further clarification.
Marc @ Jul 26th 2006 3:13PM
"What is "undesirable" content, exactly?"
PSP Fanboy.
jabbertrack @ Jul 26th 2006 3:50PM
I actually know someone who has that job (a woman), who is paid to check out porn at work. She loooooves to chat about it.
DG @ Jul 26th 2006 4:41PM
Know what would be fun? Touch-screen compatible websites.
Ha ha ha.
Royall @ Jul 26th 2006 4:53PM
What's undesirable about porn? Well, I guess there are certain varieties that rub me the wrong way. You know, the midget-on-horse kinda stuff.
krunk @ Jul 26th 2006 6:36PM
so now we have to pay to not get porn....? geeze!
aelam @ Jul 26th 2006 7:44PM
I suppose it's all in an effort to make sure that the DS doesn't get some ridiculous bad press about it's internet surfing capabilities and it's "magic button to download porn" like the PSP has gotten.
cams @ Aug 25th 2006 1:03PM
I feel the service should work the other way. I mean those who wish to watch porno content should pay extra fees for the service.