Glasgow City Council staff have made multiple attempts to access streaming, adult and gambling websites on work devices over the past year, raising concerns over employee behaviour and oversight amid growing remote working arrangements. While most access attempts were blocked, critics warn of the need for stronger IT policies and accountability as taxpayers face rising costs.
Staff at Glasgow City Council have found themselves at the centre of a scandal involving attempts to access inappropriate websites, including streaming platforms and pornographic content, on work devices. According to revelations reported by The Mail, staff made 63 unsuccessful attempts to access Netflix and 17 attempts to enter the adult site Pornhub over the past year. The council’s systems managed to block these attempts, but five successful entries to gambling websites were noted, highlighting potential gaps in oversight.
This situation arises against the backdrop of increased remote work among public sector employees, a trend that has attracted scrutiny since the pandemic. Many council workers have been allowed to work from distant locations, including countries like Japan and India, often only needing to attend the office part-time. Critics, including Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells, argue that such leisure-seeking behaviour amongst council employees is unacceptable, particularly considering the significant city-wide tax increases affecting locals. Wells asserted to The Mail that Glasgow taxpayers expect full attention devoted to essential services such as road repair and waste management, rather than attempts to access "dodgy content" during work hours.
The findings from Glasgow are not unique. Similar investigations across several Scottish councils, including Angus and Highland, have revealed attempts to access adult content, although those councils have attributed some incidents to system testing rather than employee misconduct. For example, Angus Council blocked six attempts to access Pornhub, while Highland blocked fifteen, with councils emphasising the effectiveness of their firewalls in safeguarding workplace integrity.
Moreover, the implications of employee behaviour at public councils extend beyond mere internet access. Glasgow City Council has been proactive in addressing issues related to gambling, drugs, and alcohol among its staff. It offers dedicated support services, including a 24/7 helpline and a comprehensive wellbeing programme aimed at fostering a healthier work environment. The council's initiatives include signing the Unite Charter to combat gambling-related harms in the workplace and enhancing its ICT acceptable use policy to ensure that staff adhere to professional standards.
The incident at Glasgow City Council adds to a troubling narrative of inappropriate online behaviour in the public sector, which has been magnified by the remote working culture that has taken root since the COVID-19 pandemic. As these revelations continue to surface, the scrutiny on councils’ IT policies and employee conduct is likely to intensify, as taxpayers demand accountability and a focus on the essential services that affect their daily lives.
In a context where public trust is paramount, it remains crucial for councils not only to enforce strict IT policies but also to cultivate a work environment that promotes integrity and responsibility. As councils across Scotland navigate these challenges, the balance between flexible working arrangements and employee conduct remains a crucial discussion point for local governance.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative has appeared in multiple outlets, including the Daily Mail and Press and Journal, with the earliest known publication date being May 24, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, similar incidents have been reported in the past, such as in 2024 when council staff attempted to access adult content on work computers. ([pressandjournal.co.uk](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6650202/access-denied-just-who-is-trying-to-watch-x-rated-content-on-council-servers/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the specific details are recent, the underlying issue is not new. Additionally, the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells, asserting that Glasgow taxpayers expect full attention devoted to essential services rather than attempts to access "dodgy content" during work hours. A search for the earliest known usage of this quote did not yield any matches, indicating that it may be original or exclusive content. However, without access to the original press release, it's difficult to confirm the originality of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable organisation. However, the report is based on a press release, which can sometimes lead to biased or incomplete reporting. Additionally, the Daily Mail has been known to sensationalise stories, which may affect the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report details attempts by Glasgow City Council staff to access inappropriate websites, including streaming platforms and pornographic content, on work devices. Similar incidents have been reported in other councils, such as in 2024 when council staff attempted to access adult content on work computers. ([pressandjournal.co.uk](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6650202/access-denied-just-who-is-trying-to-watch-x-rated-content-on-council-servers/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data alongside recycled older material may justify a higher plausibility score but should still be flagged.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent data on attempts by Glasgow City Council staff to access inappropriate content on work computers. While the specific details are recent, similar incidents have been reported in the past, suggesting that the underlying issue is not new. The report is based on a press release from a reputable organisation, but the Daily Mail has been known to sensationalise stories, which may affect the reliability of the information presented. The inclusion of updated data alongside recycled older material may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The quotes from Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells appear to be original or exclusive content, but without access to the original press release, it's difficult to confirm their originality. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with a medium confidence level.
