PodPorn, the next challenge for filtering software

With the release of Apple's new video capable iPod, the pornography industry is already eyeing a potentially lucrative new market: "PodPorn". The next challenge to publishers of internet content filtering software will be to screen that content to prevent underage youths from viewing inappropriate content. Brian Milburn, president of Solid Oak Software and original developer of CYBERsitter, has already begun research on the mechanics of filtering the coming onslaught of adult oriented video content for the iPod. "Gone are the days when little Johnny would steal his dads' Playboy and share it with the other kids behind the dumpster during recess. Now they will be showing full color, stereo, high definition porn clips," Milburn said.

Milburn says that the immense success of the internet has largely been driven by pornography, as were the BetaMax and VHS home video players years before. Making adult content easily available has been the birth of many technologies, even the early uses of GIF and JPG file formats were primarily by publishers of adult content that posted their efforts on early bulletin board systems and services such as CompuServe, Genie and Delphi -- which in turn drove sales of VGA color monitors, hard drives, scanners, and modems. Marketing executives for hardware manufacturers all know that pornography has been, and still is responsible for a substantial portion of their revenues. "I wouldn't expect that Apple is any different, I would be surprised if they are not counting on adult content to contribute to the demand for their product to some degree," Milburn said.

Filed under: iPod, industry