Germany: States Pass Porn Filters for Operating Systems

Summary

Providers of operating systems such as Microsoft, Apple, or Google will in the future have to ensure that they have a "youth protection device". This is intended to ensure that porn filters are installed at the fundamental level of PCs, laptops, smart TVs, game consoles, and smartphones, and that age ratings for websites and apps are introduced. This is stipulated by the latest reform of the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (Jugendmedienschutz-Staatsvertrag, JMStV), which the state parliaments passed on Wednesday after Brandenburg relented with the 6th Interstate Media Amendment Treaty. The core of the JMStV amendment, which has been debated for years and to which the state premiers agreed almost a year ago: End devices that are typically also used by minors should be able to be switched to a child or youth mode by parents with filters at the operating system level at the push of a button. The aim is to protect young people on the internet from age-inappropriate content such as pornography, violence, hate speech, incitement, and misinformation. The use of common browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari will only be possible in the special mode if they have "a secure search function" or if an unsecured access is individually and securely enabled. In general, the use of browsers and programs should be able to be "individually and securely excluded". Only apps that have an approved youth protection program or a comparable suitable tool themselves will be accessible regardless of the pre-set age group. Financial Blocks and End of Mirror Domains The Commission for Youth Media Protection (KJM) describes the filtering process as a "one-button solution". This should enable parents to "secure devices for age-appropriateness with just one click". The new operating system approach will come into force no later than December 1, 2027. For devices that are already being produced, a transitional period of three years for the implementation of the softw...