"Graphically illustrating its contention that its software is second to none, the Internet-filtering firm Websense is linking its corporate home page to a daily roster of sites featuring hard-core sex, hacking information and racist rants that it says weren’t blocked by two of its rivals.
Users who take the San Diego-based company up on its invitation to 'test the competition' also encounter links to sites offering Internet gambling, weaponry and 'questionable or illegal' products — such as a site showcased Monday that offers free downloadable essays for students.
The Websense site features disclaimers similar to those found on adult Web sites that ask viewers to click on a button to verify that they are at least 18 and are prepared to view 'sexually explicit or other material which you may find offensive.'
Andy Meyer, vice president of marketing for Websense, said that the company added the comparison feature to highlight a recent analysis by an independent lab that rated its corporate content filters higher than two of its rivals....
Meyer said that company executives were not concerned that kids would use the tool to access objectionable content that that might otherwise be blocked by their parents, teachers or librarians because the company’s site caters to corporations and government entities rather than the public." [MSNBC]
If your library is using the Websense filter, can you let me know if it blocks the Websense site? And how confident would you as a corporation or government entity feel if you installed their filter and couldn't get to their web site?!
Tuesday, July 02, 2002
