Group asks American Airlines to install anti-porn filters for in-flight internet

Nashville, Tenn., Sep 18, 2008 / 22:45 pm

An organization called Girls Against Porn has sent a letter to American Airlines asking that the company filter pornographic sites from its in-flight internet service. Citing concerns for children and other passengers, the group warns that passengers who view pornography could create security risks and provoke lawsuits.

“The airlines are taking a risk, opening themselves up to lawsuits from customers who are exposed to porn or the effects,” the letter states. It notes a $200,000 lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines by a passenger who alleged she woke up to find a substance in her hair from another passenger who was engaged in self-abuse.

“The airlines run the risk of having this happen repeatedly if Internet isn't filtered,” Girls Against Porn said in a press release, noting that in January 2007 the family of an 11-year-old girl sued Delta Airlines alleging she was molested by a male passenger.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has also voiced support for in-flight internet filters, saying flight attendants do not want to be “moral police.”

Girls Against Porn reported that the airlines Jet Blue, Continental, and Qantas have already applied filters to their internet services. The organization also encouraged the public to contact American Airlines to ask in-flight internet filters be applied.