Internet pornography

Madam, - I recently received a junk e-mail offering me pornography, including child pornography, on a site hosted by one of the…

Madam, - I recently received a junk e-mail offering me pornography, including child pornography, on a site hosted by one of the largest and best known Internet providers of search and free e-mail services. On protesting to the provider I was informed that any content offered on, or e-mails sent from, such a site "are the sole responsibility of the person from which such content originated".

EU law insists that warranty on electrical appliances (and lately the ultimate disposal of them!) is the responsibility of the retailer, not the manufacturer. Irish law insists that the corner shop or bar may be prosecuted when a minor buys cigarettes or alcohol, not the tobacco company or brewer. Credit card companies recently found it possible to stop holders using their cards indulging in Internet gambling.

Can our legislators and our credit card providers not apply at least the same regulation to pornography as to cigarettes, alcohol and gambling? - Yours, etc.,

E. MOONEY, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.