[Web4lib] graphics based content filter

[Gimon, Charles A]

There are lots of non-pornographic things in the world that are
relatively flesh-toned (our own Central Library atrium, for example). 

It's also possible to have pornographic pictures of people who are
mostly clad in various non-flesh-colored items or materials. Imagining
the details of this is an exercise I'll leave for the reader. (This has
been a identified loophole in such products in the past.)

--Charles Gimon
  Web Coordinator
  Minneapolis Public Library



-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Mutch
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:05 AM
To: John Fitzgibbon
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] graphics based content filter


John,

There are filters that purport to block images based on flesh tones,
etc. Here's one example (just what I found via Google):

http://www.ltutech.com/en/technology-and-products.image-filter.html

All of the reviews I've read of these products is that they seriously
overblock. This particular product claims it blocks 96% of pornographic
images. What they don't tell you is how many non-pornographic images are
blocked as well. Unfortunately, it appears that these filters don't
"know it when they see it".

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI


> Hi,
>
> Is there a good graphics based content filter that will automatically 
> prevent the browser from displaying certain images based on flesh 
> tone? We are concerned with blocking pornographic images. Is this 
> possible? Blocking pornographic text is not as great a concern for us.
>
> Also, we are hoping to do this at the client side rather than through 
> the use of a proxy server.
>
> Has this type of filtering software been largely discredited, or, are 
> there solutions out there worthy of consideration?
>
> I would welcome any suggestions.
>
> Regards
> John
>
> John Fitzgibbon
>
> p: 00 353 91 562471
> f: 00 353 91 565039
> w: http://www.galwaylibrary.ie
>