SurfWatch
Encyclopedia
SurfWatch, Inc. was a Los Altos, CA-based company which pioneered the first software that allowed users to block explicit content on the Internet. By disallowing computers from accessing specified sites and by screening for newsgroups likely to contain sexually explicit
material, SurfWatch was able to aid parents, educators and employers in preventing access to offensive material from a specific computer. The Apple Macintosh version of SurfWatch 1.0 first shipped in May 1995 and was followed by the Microsoft version in July of the same year.
Due to its specific locus of control, SurfWatch and various similar software programs played an instrumental role in
helping to overturn the Communications Decency Act
, as they offered an alternative to internet censorship
. Because
Surfwatch gave users a choice as to what should be blocked, it offered an alternative to broad censorship of online
material. Surfwatch has been criticized by
Peacefire
for unfairly blocking gay and lesbian resource sites.
Ann Duvall, President of SurfWatch software had performed a wide variety of roles in high-tech prior to her involvement
with SurfWatch.
Bill Duvall, CEO of Surfwatch, had been previously involved in founding and developing technology companies for 30 years.
In the course of his work, he gained the distinction of writing the software which sent the first package across the
Internet in 1969. He coauthored RFC
’s 1, 2 and 3. Bill is featured in a video on the 40th anniversary of the Internet.
Since their work on SurfWatch, Bill Duvall and Ann Duvall have gone on to create “ChoosetheBlue.com,” a website that provided information as to which companies had employees that primarily supported democratic candidates
and which companies had employees who primarily supported republican candidates. The site was intended to encourage
consumers to spend money in places that would support democratic causes.
Jay Friedland, who acted as Vice President of Marketing and Sales had 15 years of experience in high-tech management at the time of SurfWatch’s creation. He has since gone on to assist Internet start-up companies in establishing new business models for commerce on the net. Currently, he works as Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability for Zero Motorcycles and as Legislative Director for Plug In America
.
, for it provided Internet users to limit access controlled audiences, rather than limiting the whole of Internet content to all.
Spyglass later sold SurfWatch to JSB Software Technologies, who merged the software with its own SurfControl
division,with plans to continue the software’s service to clients such as Microsoft Corp's WebTV, Comcast Corp, Worldgate, Excite@Home, American Interactive Media and NTL.
In September 2007 Websense
acquired SurfControl
.
Internet pornography
Internet pornography is pornography that is distributed by means of various sectors of the Internet, primarily via websites, peer-to-peer file sharing, or Usenet newsgroups...
material, SurfWatch was able to aid parents, educators and employers in preventing access to offensive material from a specific computer. The Apple Macintosh version of SurfWatch 1.0 first shipped in May 1995 and was followed by the Microsoft version in July of the same year.
Due to its specific locus of control, SurfWatch and various similar software programs played an instrumental role in
helping to overturn the Communications Decency Act
Communications Decency Act
The Communications Decency Act of 1996 was the first notable attempt by the United States Congress to regulate pornographic material on the Internet. In 1997, in the landmark cyberlaw case of Reno v. ACLU, the United States Supreme Court struck the anti-indecency provisions of the Act.The Act was...
, as they offered an alternative to internet censorship
Internet censorship
Internet censorship is the control or suppression of the publishing of, or access to information on the Internet. It may be carried out by governments or by private organizations either at the behest of government or on their own initiative...
. Because
Surfwatch gave users a choice as to what should be blocked, it offered an alternative to broad censorship of online
material. Surfwatch has been criticized by
Peacefire
Peacefire
Peacefire is a U.S.-based website, with a registered address in Bellevue, Washington, dedicated to "preserving First Amendment rights for Internet users, particularly those younger than 18". It was founded in August 1996 by Bennett Haselton, who still runs it...
for unfairly blocking gay and lesbian resource sites.
Founders
Surfwatch was founded by Ann Duvall, Bill Duvall, and Jay Friedland.Ann Duvall, President of SurfWatch software had performed a wide variety of roles in high-tech prior to her involvement
with SurfWatch.
Bill Duvall, CEO of Surfwatch, had been previously involved in founding and developing technology companies for 30 years.
In the course of his work, he gained the distinction of writing the software which sent the first package across the
Internet in 1969. He coauthored RFC
Request for Comments
In computer network engineering, a Request for Comments is a memorandum published by the Internet Engineering Task Force describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems.Through the Internet Society, engineers and...
’s 1, 2 and 3. Bill is featured in a video on the 40th anniversary of the Internet.
Since their work on SurfWatch, Bill Duvall and Ann Duvall have gone on to create “ChoosetheBlue.com,” a website that provided information as to which companies had employees that primarily supported democratic candidates
and which companies had employees who primarily supported republican candidates. The site was intended to encourage
consumers to spend money in places that would support democratic causes.
Jay Friedland, who acted as Vice President of Marketing and Sales had 15 years of experience in high-tech management at the time of SurfWatch’s creation. He has since gone on to assist Internet start-up companies in establishing new business models for commerce on the net. Currently, he works as Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability for Zero Motorcycles and as Legislative Director for Plug In America
Plug In America
Plug In America is a 501 non-profit educational organization that promotes and advocates the use of plug-in cars, trucks and sports utlilty vehicles powered by domestic and renewable electricity which it claims will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the global environment and...
.
Software in Court
In 1995, the U.S. Senate set out to ban Internet users from posting illicit content. In the measure, the Senate endorsed “severe penalties” for those who posted “everything from child pornography to profanity.” Despite the seeming impossibility of accurate enforcement, the measure outraged many American citizens. Those who opposed the measure believed that censorship of the Internet was an infringement on their right to free speech. Opponents of the Congressional legislation believed that technology that blocks access is preferable to an outright ban. At the time of the legislation, SurfWatch was one of the only companies offering an Internet filter. A majority of the technology industry believed the best way to shield children from inappropriate content was, as journalist Steve Lohr put it, “with specialized software, enabling parents to block access to certain computer-network traffic.” Thus, as an alternative to complete Internet censorship, software such as SurfWatch played a key role in the overturning of the 1996 Communications Decency ActCommunications Decency Act
The Communications Decency Act of 1996 was the first notable attempt by the United States Congress to regulate pornographic material on the Internet. In 1997, in the landmark cyberlaw case of Reno v. ACLU, the United States Supreme Court struck the anti-indecency provisions of the Act.The Act was...
, for it provided Internet users to limit access controlled audiences, rather than limiting the whole of Internet content to all.
Acquisition
SurfWatch was acquired by Spyglass in May 1996.Spyglass later sold SurfWatch to JSB Software Technologies, who merged the software with its own SurfControl
SurfControl
SurfControl Plc., was a British software company based in Cheshire, England. The company provided website filtering, e-mail filtering and desktop security software for both enterprise and home users....
division,with plans to continue the software’s service to clients such as Microsoft Corp's WebTV, Comcast Corp, Worldgate, Excite@Home, American Interactive Media and NTL.
In September 2007 Websense
Websense
Websense is a San Diego-based company specializing in Web security gateway software. It enables clients to block access to chosen categories of websites.-History:Websense was founded by Phil Trubey in 1994...
acquired SurfControl
SurfControl
SurfControl Plc., was a British software company based in Cheshire, England. The company provided website filtering, e-mail filtering and desktop security software for both enterprise and home users....
.