British internet providers have blocked access to parts of Wikipedia after accusations that the site was carrying "potentially illegal" images of child pornography.

Reports from users suggest that Virgin Media, O2's Be internet service and others have blocked access to at least one Wikipedia article after it was placed on a blacklist by the Internet Watch Foundation, Britain's de facto online watchdog.

The offending article, about German rock group The Scorpions' 1976 album Virgin Killers, included an image of the record's controversial cover - which featured a young naked girl with her genitals obscured by a crack in the camera lens.

The image caused controversy when the album was first released, and was eventually replaced in most countries – including the UK and United States - by a shot of the band. However, the original album cover is still on sale in the UK as part of a double album deluxe boxed set.

Instead of seeing the article itself, blocked users receive a fake message saying that the page could not be found.

In a statement, the IWF said that the organisation had received a report claiming the page was pornographic through its website, and that after a review the decision was made that the page was "potentially illegal".

"As with all child abuse reports received by our Hotline analysts, the image was assessed according to the UK Sentencing Guidelines Council," it said.

"The content was considered to be a potentially illegal indecent image of a child under the age of 18… and the specific URL was then added to the list."

Guardian.co.uk

IWF changes stance on Wikipedia block

IWF changes stance on Wikipedia block The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has reversed its stance on the block of a Wikipedia page, which had an inappropriate image on it.

Originally put in place to prevent users from viewing the picture of a naked underage girl, the block also prevented UK broadband customers from editing the online encyclopaedia.

After appeals from Wikipedia, IWF invoked its appeals procedure and confirmed that the picture breaches the Protection of Children Act 1978.

Despite this, the context of the image, the length of time it has been in the public spotlight and its widespread availability has prompted the body to relax its ruling.

Consequently, the IWF has removed the Wikipedia page from the block list.

It also stated that any other publications of the image hosted abroad will not be added to the list.

However, any copies of the image hosted within the UK will be assessed in line with IWF procedures.

t3.com