American filters porn on inflight Internet

DALLAS, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. carrier American Airlines says it will block access to pornographic Web sites for passengers using its Gogo inflight wireless Internet service.

Airline officials had said they would not attempt to block Internet content on its new service, but they changed their minds after fielding objections from religious groups and the flight attendants' union, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Wednesday.

"Since the launch of Gogo, American has not experienced any reported incidents of customers viewing inappropriate content via the Gogo service," airline officials said in a statement issued from their Dallas headquarters. "However, we believe this is an appropriate measure to take."

The conservative Christian group Focus on the Family said it was concerned that children could be exposed to pornographic Web sites by passengers seated next to them, and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants contended it was unfair for them to be expected to police Internet content during flights, the newspaper said.