It is definitely optional:
http://www.freenews.fr/spip.php?article12949 (even with my limited French I find the original text less confusing than google translate, ).
But yes, the fact that it's on by default is questionable.
However, most ISP-supplied consumer routers have firewall rules on by default, for very good reasons. Although I personally think this one should be opt-in, on by default is not necessarily evil in this particular use case.
Besides being a bit ham-fisted, there's nothing inherently wrong with an ISP offering filters against malicious content.
Also, with the user-accessible opt-out, it would even be legal under the Netherlands' much praised Net Neutrality law. Unlike most of these alarmist headlines, the ISP is not blocking anything.
But yes, the fact that it's on by default is questionable.
However, most ISP-supplied consumer routers have firewall rules on by default, for very good reasons. Although I personally think this one should be opt-in, on by default is not necessarily evil in this particular use case.
Besides being a bit ham-fisted, there's nothing inherently wrong with an ISP offering filters against malicious content.
Also, with the user-accessible opt-out, it would even be legal under the Netherlands' much praised Net Neutrality law. Unlike most of these alarmist headlines, the ISP is not blocking anything.