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SurfControl steps up non-PC filtering
Monday, February 05 2001
by Tony O'Brien


SurfControl has signed a deal with Microsoft to provide Internet filtering tools
for Microsoft TV, Microsoft's interactive TV platform. 

SurfControl is a UK company that specialises in Internet filtering tools to let
authorities, such as parents employers, filter or block access to certain
Internet content.



Now it has announced a link-up with Microsoft which will see it also able to
control access to Internet content accessed by interactive tv. The company on
Monday announced a multi-year deal with Microsoft which will integrate its
content filtering engine into the Microsoft TV platform. 



SurfControl has provided filtering solutions for Microsoft's WebTV Network since
1996 and the new agreement expands the relationship to include licensees of the
Microsoft TV platform. To date, TVCabo, AT&T, Rogers, United-Pan Cable-Europe and
Thomson TAK are among Microsoft TV's current platform customers.



The companies said that the filtering tools will let users restrict access to
questionable on-line content including sites related to hate, drugs, alcohol,
pornography, weapons, violence and gambling.



The Microsoft announcement is the second in a series of non-PC Internet filtering
announcements from SurfControl. Last month SurfControl signed a deal to provide
Internet content filtering software for the new Intel Dot.Station Web Appliance.




Web appliances are stripped-down PCs aimed at home users, permitting services
including e-mail and Web access. Intel's Dot.Station also includes a built-in
telephone.



The company will full integrate its filtering software into Intel's Web 
appliance and licence the technology to Intel Dot.Station customers.



By cornering the market for filtering on non-PC Internet access devices,
SurfControl is tapping into a lucrative and growing market. Last year IDC
estimated that sales of alternative Internet access devices in the US would
surpass sales of PCs by 2002. IDC said the devices are destined for success
because they are cheap, easy-to-use and appealing to the wider Internet consumer
market.