Censor Watch

Beyond Fury is a 2019 UK action film by Darren Ward
Starring Dani Thompson, Giovanni Lombardo Radice and Jeff Stewart

Ex-Mercenary Michael Walker and his pregnant girlfriend Claudia are brutally attacked. Now with Claudia and the unborn child dead, Walker reverts to his military training to hunt down and serve his own kinda street justice.

A BBFC submission was in process but presumably it will be cancelled now.

A Day of Violence is a 2010 UK crime thriller by Darren Ward
Starring Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Nick Rendell and Christopher Fosh

Mitchell Parker lies dead on a morgue slab. In life, 'Mitchell' served the low ranks of Debt Collectors, surrounded by all the filth and scum that the world had to offer. He thought his luck was in, when on a routine collection he stumbles across 100,000 in cash.

Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC in 2010 for very strong language, strong bloody violence and strong sex.

Sudden Fury is a 1997 UK action drama by Darren Ward.
Starring Chris Barfoot and Antony Dobson and Adam Light.

Intent on seizing control of South East England's cocaine business, small-time crime boss Randall hires notorious hit-man Walker to take out his competition. When Randall betrays the hit-man, however, the tables are turned.

Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC in 2003.

Direct Darren Ward has reported on Facebook that the planned UK Halloween release of his Crime Trilogy has been cancelled after supermarkets decided that it was too violent to be put on sale. He wrote

I signed a contract with a UK distributor back in June for THE CRIME TRILOGY that covered the UK, Australia & New Zealand. However due to the violent content of my films, the distributor has pulled out resulting in the termination of the contract.

BEYOND FURY and the other two movies WILL NOW NOT BE RELEASED on HALLOWEEN and probably will never see the light of day in the UK.

It deeply saddens me that after everyone's hard work and effort on a movie that has won 6 International awards, has been cast aside due to the simple fact that Supermarkets won't stock them.

What the Supermarkets fail to remember is that when released in 2010 A DAY OF VIOLENCE got to number 10 in the ASDA film charts across the country!

To end on a positive BEYOND FURY will see release in Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 2023!

The Callisto Protocol is a 2022 single player horror survival game by Striking Distance Studios

The game has now been banned in Japan after it was refused a CERO rating. The developers have decided not to pursue local edits to tryan achieve a rating. String Distance Studios said via its Japanese Twitter account that the localized version for Japan will be discontinued and that anyone who pre-ordered will get a refund, adding:

We have determined that the game cannot pass the CERO rating in its current state and that changing the content will not provide the experience that players expect.

The reason for refusing the rating have not been reported but it is assume that the refusal was down to the game's violence and gore

#LookAtMe is a 2022 Singapore gay themed drama by Ken Kwek
Starring Yao, Yao and Pam Oei

A Youtuber posts an irreverent video trolling a megachurch pastor, in defence of his gay twin brother. He is vilified by society, tried in court, and pitted against a culture that threatens to destroy his family.

Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has retained banned film #LookAtMe in its official selection, despite the fact it cannot be screened in the country.

Directed by Singapore filmmaker Ken Kwek, the film was handed a local exhibition ban last week on the grounds that it supposedly denigrates a religious community and has the potential to cause enmity and social division in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-cultural society, according to a joint statement by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

Produced by Eko Pictures, the feature received its world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in July where it proved one of the buzz titles of the event and received a special mention for the performance of Malaysian-born, US-based actor Yao (aka Thomas Pang) who plays the dual role of twin brothers.

The film's production team had previously planned to submit an appeal in a bid to overturn the ban. But after learning more about the IMDA appeals process, which includes a $355 (S$500) fee, they chose not to challenge the decision.

The film's festival run continues and it is scheduled to screen at upcoming festivals in the US, Australia and Thailand.

PoliticsHome spotted the change to the House of Commons schedule last night, reporting that the Online Censorship Bill had been dropped from the Commons business next week.

A source in the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told TechCrunch that the latest delay to the bill's parliamentary timetable is to allow time for MPs to read new amendments -- which they also confirmed are yet to be laid.

But they suggested the delay will not affect the passage of the bill, saying it will progress within the next few weeks.

The change of PM may not mean major differences in policy approach in the arena of online regulation as Rishi Sunak has expressed similar concerns about the Online Safety Bill's impact on free speech -- also seemingly centred on clauses pertaining to restrictions on the legal but harmful speech of adults.

Pakistan's government has revoked the Central Board of Film Censors' independent capacity, granted under the previous government in 2020.

The censor board will now come under control of the information minister.

Since launching Hidden Words last year, more than one in five people with large followings have turned on the feature, giving them a powerful tool to automatically filter harmful content from their comments and message requests. We've seen that Hidden Words has been really effective at keeping people safe. When people turn on Hidden Words for comments, on average, they see 40% fewer comments that might be offensive.

We want to help more creators benefit from this protection, so we're starting to test automatically turning on Hidden Words for Creator accounts . Everyone will continue to be able to turn these settings on or off at any time and build a custom list with additional words, phrases, and emojis they may want to hide.

We're also continuing to improve Hidden Words to offer more protections, including:

• Expanding Hidden Words to cover Story replies, so offensive replies from people you don't follow will be sent to your Hidden Requests folder and you never have to see them.

• Supporting new languages, including Farsi, Turkish, Russian, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil.

• Improving our filtering to spot and hide more intentional misspellings of offensive terms, for instance, if someone uses a "1" instead of an "i".

• Adding new terms to filter message requests that might contain scams or spam. We'll start doing this in English in certain countries, with more languages and countries coming soon.

The UK House of Commons has passed the disgraceful Public Order Bill. The bill aims to give police and courts more power to prevent protests and the ability to electronically monitor protesters with an ankle tag before they've even been tried in a court of law.

While introducing the bill, former Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

What we have seen in recent years is a rise in criminal, disruptive and self-defeating guerrilla tactics, carried out by a selfish few in the name of protest.

Not only do these anti-social protests cause untold delays and misery for the law-abiding public wanting to get on with their lives, it tears police away from communities where they are needed most to prevent serious violence and neighborhood crime.

This bill backs the police to take proactive action and prevent such disruption happening in the first place. These measures stand up for the responsible majority and it is time that Parliament got behind them.

Charles Walker, a senior MP had already said he would be voting against his own party's proposal to introduce the law. Walker told the House of Commons that the bill was unconservative and more like something that would be used in China under the Chinese Communist Party. He added:

The idea that in this country, we are going to ankle tag someone who has not been convicted in a court of law... I mean, I tell you what, those Chinese in their embassy will be watching this very closely at the moment, they might actually be applying for some of this stuff when we pass it in this place as I suspect we will.

The bill will now be debated by the House of Lords.

Germany has fined the messaging app Telegram $5 million for refusing to comply with German censorship orders.

The Federal Office of Justice claimed that the messaging platform has refused to create a way for users to report illegal content or established a physical office where complaints can be filed, as required by German laws governing social media platforms.

German authorities added that their attempts to contact Telegram executives in the United Arab Emirates have failed.

Telegram can appeal the fine.

Australian gambling venues are planning to install facial recognition technology in all pubs and clubs in the state of New South Wales. The technology is supposedly aimed at keeping people with self-imposed gambling bans from gambling.

The ClubsNSW and the Australian Hotels Association NSW said a facial recognition surveillance system will be installed in all hotels and clubs in NSW next year. The system will scan the faces of everyone entering the gaming area and check them against a list of people who have registered in the self-exclusion system.

Close to 100 clubs are already using this technology and the feedback is that it works, said ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann criticized the move:

The NSW government has lost its mind if it thinks people want pubs and clubs to have self-managed facial recognition tech. This is as terrifying as it is absurd.

UK adult sites not doing enough to protect children

Smaller adult video-sharing sites based in the UK do not have sufficiently robust access control measures in place to stop children accessing pornography, Ofcom has found in a new report.

Ahead of our future duties in the Online Safety Bill, Ofcom already has some powers to regulate video-sharing platforms (VSPs) established in the UK, which are required by law to take measures to protect people using their sites and apps from harmful videos.

Nineteen companies have notified us that they fall within our jurisdiction. They include TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, Vimeo, OnlyFans and BitChute; as well as several smaller platforms, including adult sites.

Ofcom is concerned that smaller UK-based adult sites do not have robust measures in place to prevent children accessing pornography. They all have age verification measures in place when users sign up to post content. However, users can generally access adult content just by self-declaring that they are over 18.

One smaller adult platform told us that it had considered implementing age verification, but had decided not to as it would reduce the profitability of the business.

However, the largest UK-based site with adult content, OnlyFans, has responded to regulation by adopting age verification for all new UK subscribers, using third-party tools provided by Yoti and Ondato.

According to new research we have published today, most people (81%) do not mind proving their age online in general, with a majority (78%) expecting to have to do so for certain online activities. A similar proportion (80%) feel internet users should be required to verify their age when accessing pornography online, especially on dedicated adult sites.

Over the next year, adult sites that we already regulate must have in place a clear roadmap to implementing robust age verification measures. If they don't, they could face enforcement action. Under future online safety laws, Ofcom will have broader powers to ensure that many more services are protecting children from adult content. Some progress protecting users, but more to be done

We have seen some companies make positive changes more broadly to protect users from harmful content online, including as a direct result of being regulated under the existing laws. For example:

TikTok now categorises content that may be unsuitable for younger users, to prevent them from viewing it. It has also established an Online Safety Oversight Committee, which provides executive oversight of content and safety compliance specifically within the UK and EU.

Snapchat recently launched a parental control feature, Family Center, which allows parents and guardians to view a list of their child's conversations without seeing the content of the message.

Vimeo now allows only material rated all audiences to be visible to users without an account. Content rated mature or unrated is now automatically put behind the login screen.

BitChute has updated its terms and conditions and increased the number of people overseeing and -- if necessary -- removing content.

However, it is clear that many platforms are not sufficiently equipped, prepared and resourced for regulation. We have recently opened a formal investigation into one firm, Tapnet Ltd -- which operates adult site RevealMe -- in relation to its response to our information request.

We also found that companies are not prioritising risk assessments of their platforms, which we consider fundamental to proactively identifying and mitigating risks to users. This will be a requirement on all regulated services under future online safety laws.

Over the next twelve months, we expect companies to set and enforce effective terms and conditions for their users, and quickly remove or restrict harmful content when they become aware of it. We will review the tools provided by platforms to their users for controlling their experience, and expect them to set out clear plans for protecting children from the most harmful online content, including pornography.

We're making additional changes and improvements to help our community have the best experience possible when they use LIVE.

Currently, people must be aged 16 or over to host a LIVE. From November 23, the minimum age will increase from 16 to 18. As we consider the breadth of our global audience, we already take a graduated approach to the features that our community can access based on their age; younger teens need to be aged 16 or older to access Direct Messaging and 18 or older to send virtual gifts or access monetization features.

In addition, in the coming weeks, we plan to introduce a new way for creators to choose if they'd prefer to only reach an adult audience in their LIVE. For instance, perhaps a comedy routine is better suited for people over age 18. Or, a host may plan to talk about a difficult life experience and they would feel more comfortable knowing the conversation is limited to adults. We want our community to make the most of the opportunities LIVE can bring without compromising on safety. We believe these industry-leading updates can further protect the younger members of our community as they start and build their online presence.

An episode of the popular kids' show Bluey is not, and probably never will be shown on Disney+ or Disney Junior.

The Bluey Season 2 episode Dad Baby , is as of this writing, banned from the US, and it doesn't look like that will change any time soon.

Airing on March 29, 2020, on CBeebies in the UK and Australia, Dad Baby, is the 13th episode of Bluey Season 2. In it, the dad, Bandit, pretends to give birth to Bingo, hence the title Dad Baby. Like all of Bluey, this episode is a whimsical take on explaining something in the grownup world, to children.

There are a variety of theories as to why this episode was maybe not allowed on Disney channels and streamers in the US. But there has been no statement from Disney.

The assumption most pundits and fans have made is simple: Disney has deemed it inappropriate for children. Most fans have accused Disney of strange censorship, which is either sexist, prudish, or both.

Scotland Yard has announced it will start using behavioural data to predict which men will commit violence against women and girls.

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said he wants to use the information to stop would-be offenders before they attack. Speaking at a conference this week, he said:

The Met is working to build a city-wide data picture of men who we know prey on and commit abhorrent crimes against women and girls across London which is more sophisticated than ever before.

Sadly, we know it is many tens of thousands of men. I want us to go further, to see if we can build a clearer picture of future risk, forecasting and interdicting men who will commit violent crimes against women or girls, based on previous behaviour as statistically-tested risk factors.

We're increasingly able to understand the likelihoods of who will commit some of society's most serious crimes, and use that to inform our thinking about prevention.

With thousands of people repeatedly identified as suspects, but where there is sometimes insufficient evidence to prosecute, but could we start to rank-order some of the most dangerous offenders now at large in our city?

Mad Monkey Kung Fu is a 1979 Hong Kong action comedy by Chia-Liang Liu
Starring Chia-Liang Liu, Hou Hsiao and Kara Wai    

Always cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty.

Summary Notes

A disgraced former Kung Fu expert makes a living as a merchant with the help of a hot headed friend. When the men are harassed by gangsters, the merchant decided to teach his friend monkey boxing so they can defend their business.

Versions

uncut		US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for: 2011 Arc Entertainment R1 DVD at US Amazon #ad
cut: 28s run: 115m pal: 110m		UK: Passed 15 for strong violence, injury detail afterBBFC cuts: 2022 Arrow Film Distributors Ltd video The BBFC commented: This work had compulsory cuts made, removing a scene of animal cruelty in which a monkey was harmed. Cuts were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines, policy, and the Video Recordings Act 1984, which applies the standards of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. UK: Passed 15 after 28s of BBFC cuts: 1995 Made In Hong Kong VHS

Sony Music Korea has censored a music video to cover up the braided hairstyle of a K-pop girl band member following ludicrous claims of 'cultural appropriation'.

The controversy started last month when Hani, a member of the group EXID, wore braids in a promotional photo for their new single Fire .

Western K-pop 'fans' piled on to social media to criticise Hani's hair, claiming it's a form of racism for any non-black person to braid their hair.

Sony decided to censor the hairstyle by blurring it.

According to Vietnam online publication VnExpress, Vietnam's Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information removed the Korean series Little Women from Netflix in Vietnam claiming that it presented misleading information about Vietnam and the Vietnam War.All 12 episodes will not shown in Vietnam.

Studio Dragon which produced Little Women said that it will pay greater attention to foreign cultures and history.

The series mentions Vietnam when the lead character explains about a mysterious orchid, known as the Ghost of Vietnam. Little Women also presents a story about a Korean soldier, who took part in a secret operation during the Vietnam War in 1967, killing 100 Viet Cong on his mission.

The Dirty Dolls is a 1973 US crime drama by Stu Segall
Starring John Alderman, Denise Drake and Esther Abbott    

Exists as a cut Smut Without Smut version and an an uncut version titled The Dirty Dolls.

Summary Notes

Johnny, a psychopath, puts together a gang made up of young teenage girls to commit crimes for him. Everything is going well until one day, during a diamond robbery, the girls are forced to take two hostages and bring them back to the hideout along with the loot. Furious, Johnny ...

Versions

uncut run: 72:56s pal: 70:01s

UK: Passed 18 uncut for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity, very strong language 2022 101 Films Smut Without Smut Vol. 1 [The Dirty Dolls + Smut Without Smut] (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad See BBFC board meeting minutes from July 2022 [pdf] from darkroom.bbfc.co.uk : Re a scene of sexual violence from 1973 exploitation film THE DIRTY DOLLS. In the clip, a kidnapped woman is sexually assaulted by two other women, with sexualised nudity and a focus on the attackers' pleasure. BBFC Classification Guidelines state that intervention may be required at the adult category where material presents a credible harm risk to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. This may include portrayals of rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour which make the violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour; or which invite viewer complicity in rape, other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or other harmful violent activities. The Board considered whether the THE DIRTY DOLLS was in breach of the guidelines, and ultimately concluded that the film's depiction of sexual violence was so lacking in believability and credibility that it did not represent a genuine harm risk requiring compulsory cuts to the film. Accordingly, in line with the BBFC's guiding principle that adults should be able to choose their own entertainment provided the content is not illegal or harmful, the Board agreed that THE DIRTY DOLLS could be classified 18 uncut.

In September 2021, France's Ministry of Economics and Finance requested access to the account balances and number of monthly transactions for all individual and business bank accounts in France. Not only did the Ministry of Economics and Finance want access to this sensitive personal data but it also wanted to be able to collect this data in real-time.

This is an extension to the current database of bank accounts that records the existence and ownership of all personal and business accounts but does not currently record balances and transactions.

French news outlet BFMTV reported that the request was ultimately denied by France's Interministerial Directorate of Digital (DINUM).

But this attempt to harvest highly sensitive bank account data from French citizens in real-time reflects a growing push by governments around the world to scoop up increased amounts of financial data from their citizens.

PayPal's clause about taking users' funds for a violation of its rules has long been established. But, as published on September 26th and to be effective on November 3rd, 2022, PayPal will add restrictions to its acceptable use policy that go beyond illegal activities and fraud and into the realm of policing speech.

The updated policy prohibits users from using PayPal for activities that:

Involve the sending, posting, or publication of any messages, content, or materials that, in PayPal's sole discretion,

(a) are harmful, obscene, harassing, or objectionable ...

(e) depict, promote, or incite hatred or discrimination of protected groups or of individuals or groups based on protected characteristics (e.g. race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.) ...

(g) are fraudulent, promote misinformation ... or

(i) are otherwise unfit for publication.