Online porn filter "blocks" League of Legends game patch

Anti-porn filters may be responsible for blocking updates to popular PC game, League of Legends.

Users trying to download patches to the game found the update stalled when downloading two files called VarusExpirationTimer.luaobj and XerathMageChainsExtended.luaobj.

Both files contain the letters S,E and X in succession, prompting fears the files have been blocked by internet filters looking for questionable content based on keywords.

The problem was discovered by gamers and posted on social news site Reddit. According to site user LoLBoompje, UK porn filters are to blame. The problem was also discussed on the game's user forum.

At present the problem does not appear to be extensive, as only new internet subscribers or those changing ISPs are affected by porn filters.

Users may have to turn off any filters to allow the update to come through or have a fellow player email the updates in a zip file to get round this.

Last October, ISPs BT, Virgin, Sky and TalkTalk said subscribers to their services would have to opt out of filters to view adult content. However, concerns have been raised over how far the filters go in stopping content.

As reported by IT Pro, attempts to block porn have been panned by experts. At the time, Jim Killock, executive director of civil liberties campaigners the Open Rights Group said "promoting reliance on network filters is very bad advice."

League of Legends developer Riot Games told gaming publication Eurogamer that it was monitoring the situation and asked users that are having problems to contact them.

"Our feedback to players is to double check with internet service providers and if anyone experiences a problem, get in touch and we will be able to help," a Riot spokesperson told the publication.