On November 11th, 2009,Google introduced the ability for users with Google Accounts to lock on the SafeSearch level in Google's web and image searches. Once configured, apassword is required to change the setting.[1]
On December 12, 2012, Google removed the option to turn off the filter entirely, requiring users to enter more specificsearch queries to access adult content.[3][4][5]
SafeSearch can be enforced bylocal area network administrators andISPs by adding a DNS record. This is often done on school networks to prevent students from accessing pornographic content.[6][7]
Users themselves can turn this setting on to filter out any inappropriate content.[8]
On the other hand, many pornographic images slip through the filter, even when "innocent" search terms are entered.
Blacklisting certain search terms is hindered byhomographs (e.g., "beaver"),[10]blacklisting certainURLs is rendered ineffective by the changing URLs of porn sites, and software to tag images with copious amounts of flesh tones as pornographic content is problematic because there are a variety of skin tones and pictures of babies tend to have a lot of flesh tones.[11]
Google's ability to filter porn has been an important factor in its relationship with thePeople's Republic of China.[12]
