UK ISPs Blocking Content - How To Remove Their Filters

Some Internet Service Providers in Britain have filters that block some online content (such as videos in Kodi/DBMC/XBMC and other Android applications).

Unlike those put in place due to court orders (connected with the prevention of copyright infringement), the reasoning behind these new restrictions is to stop children from seeing media that is intended for adults, as well as preventing malicious programs from being downloaded.

If you find that lists in a Kodi add-on have suddenly appeared to be empty, or other media that used to load results in error messages, one of the first things to check is whether your ISP has implemented filters, with an opt-out policy (Virgin and BT are two examples, especially with new customers). Some ISPs have put the filters in place, but not enabled them, relying on customers to choose to do so (opt-in).

If you want to disable this filter, the exact procedure differs according to your ISP. As a general approach, you need to log in to your ISP's administrative application or website, and confirm that you want them to stop blocking content.

If you're a domestic BT customer (in terms of an internet provider), please watch the following video:

Please note the most important part of the process is to complete BT's Smart Setup process. Until that Get Started button is clicked, BT won't allow most data to be sent to your DroiX®!

If you have installed software from BT, please see http://bt.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/2293980/1329825561/redirect/1 for details on how to alter your settings.

Should you be using your DroiX® device at non-domestic premises, and have a BT Business account for your internet connection, then http://btbusiness.custhelp.com/app/hub/a_id/9000/c/2888,2165,2167 can guide you how to disable the filter.

If you're with Virgin, login here - https://my.virginmedia.com/my-apps/websafe/overview.html and first turn off the Child Safe filter. If that doesn't help, you'll need to try turning off Virus-safe. Please note that doing so will reduce your online protection, but as Virgin has included some sites in their blacklist that aren't dangerous, this is the only simple approach.

From our customers with Virgin who have made contact so far, disabling the filters worked well.

If TalkTalk are the company you pay each month for the internet connection your DroiX® uses, they have some articles at http://help2.talktalk.co.uk/broadband-security/homesafe-0 that should assist.

With customers using Sky as their internet provider, please visit https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-broadband-shield-explained to learn more about disabling your blocks.

If your internet connection is through EE (including those who signed up with Orange and T-Mobile originally), please visit http://ee.co.uk/help/safety-and-security/my-digital-life/content-lock-and-orange-safeguard to check how to remove any blocks in place.

If you are not customer of the ISPs listed above, your best course of action would be to check their websites for news about filters, or try contacting their support teams. If you find or are provided with a procedure to follow, and it helps, we'd love to hear from you, so we can update our information - if you could spare the time to e-mail ( [e-mail] ) a link to the procedure, or describe it, then we can ensure other customers are able to continue enjoying their favourite media.