Japanese firm launches DS Net filter

Japanese security software developer Digital Arts Inc. is now offering an Internet content-filtering service for the Nintendo DS Web Browser, according to Nikkei BP. Called i-Filter for the Nintendo DS Browser, the service promises to block Web sites that contain pornographic or other undesirable content for a monthly fee of 315 yen (about US $2.70).

The service uses the Nintendo DS browser's proxy feature to restrict access, eliminating the need to install separate software. Digital Arts claims it has blocked around 5.46 million sites, or over 163 million Web pages. Employees at Digital Arts choose which Web sites to blacklist by inspecting them firsthand--a method the company touts because it means that sites are less likely to be blocked indiscriminately.