Further adjustments to filtering technology prompted by Montgomery County incident
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 16, 2011 — Responding quickly to concerns that its iBoss Web Filters were blocking access to LGBT websites for employees of Montgomery County, Maryland, Phantom Technologies assures customers that its web-filtering technology is designed to function within the guidelines of the ACLU's Don't Filter Me campaign, which seeks to curb illegal filtering of pro-LGBT content.
Last month, a Montgomery County employee informed his network administrator that he was unable to access certain websites while researching LGBT-related issues. A prompt investigation by Phantom Technologies' customer support revealed that those sites had been mis-flagged by its iBoss web-filtering system as "adult."
Though access to any blocked site can be granted by local administrators, Phantom Technologies quickly adjusted the system's algorithm to be less sensitive and to allow those sites. Following a letter from the ACLU listing other LGBT sites that were still blocked, the algorithm was further adjusted and other variables were added to reduce future mistakes. Phantom Technologies then took the extra step of adding a reporting mechanism on its website so customers can submit misclassified LGBT sites directly for instant re-categorization across its entire end-user base.
"Out of the box, iBoss Web Filter products do not block LGBT content and do not have any kind of LGBT filtering category," says Phantom Technologies spokesperson Peter Marin. "Our filters classify sites based on their content focus, so if a site is a dating site, regardless of who is dating, it's just dating. We are completely neutral in that regard and strive to ensure our products operate in line with ACLU's Don't Filter Me campaign."
ACLU's "Don't Filter Me" campaign was launched in February 2011 to investigate and curb illegal censorship and filtering of pro-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) information on public school and government agency computer systems. As a result of the campaign, many providers of filtering technology are changing their software, and numerous school districts across the country have agreed to unblock non-sexual, gay-themed content.
Phantom Technologies' iBoss Web Filters offer software-free Web-filtering solutions for the home, small business, and corporate environment. Designed in the U.S. using proprietary engineering, the iBoss is the most advanced, easy-to-use Web filter available on the market today. Over 100,000 users around the globe enjoy the superior protection of iBoss filtering technology.
The iBoss Enterprise can be purchased directly from Phantom Technologies at http://www.ibosswebfilters.com or from one of its value-added resellers. For more information, please contact Marisa Salzman, Director of Marketing, at 877-742-6832, x 7807, or Email.
# # #