BERRRef

YourRef

Dutch Antaris

[email address]

27 March 2008

Dear Dutch Antaris

Freedom of Information request 08/0113

I refer to your request of 26 February under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information about any communications between the Department and the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) regarding the blocking of Child Abuse Content.

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our records, the Department does not hold any information on the subject of your request.

To deal with the specific question of child abuse images on the Internet, the UK Government and the Internet industry established a specialised regulatory body called the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). This is funded by the UK Internet industry and the European Union. It runs a `hotline' for Internet users to submit a form online to report potentially illegal content (particularly child abuse images). The information gathered from the hotline is conveyed to the Internet Service Providers and relevant law enforcement authorities for action.

Further information on the work of the IWF may be obtained from the their website http://www.iwf.org.uk/ or by writing to The Internet Watch Foundation, East View, 5 Coles Lane. Oakington, Cambridge, CB24 3BA.

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 237 700

Fax: +44 (0) 1223 235 921

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Mary Spoor

Business Relations

Information Hub

Appeals procedure

If you are unhappy with the result of your request for information, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. If you wish to request an internal review please contact me.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

            Information Commissioner's Office

            Wycliffe House

            Water Lane

            Wilmslow

            Cheshire

            SK9 5AF

Continuation 2

Enterprise and Business Group , 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

www.berr.gov.uk

Direct Line +44 (0)20 7215 1373 | Fax +44 (0)20 7215 2879 | Minicom +44 (0)020 7215 6740

Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000 | Email mary.spoor@berr.gsi.gov.uk