4chan vs. AT&T

[Iason Ouabache]

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/26/att-blocks-4chan-this-is-going-to-get-ugly/

As if AT&T wasn't already bad enough. In an act that is sure to spark internet rebellions everywhere, AT&T has apparently declared war on the extremely popular imageboard 4chan.org, blocking some of the site's most popular message boards, including /r9k/ and the infamous /b/. m00t, who started 4chan and continues to run the site, has posted a note to the 4chan status blog indicating that AT&T is in fact filtering/blocking the site for many of its customers (we're still trying to confirm from AT&T's side).

Reports of the blocking began to surface on reddit this afternoon, and a number of blogs are beginning to pick up on the story, though it doesn't seem like any have managed to get a comment from AT&T (we've reached out to the company and will update once we hear back).

4chan has been called many things, most of which aren't particularly flattering. Some parts of the site are entirely unmoderated, leading to a wild-west, highly NSFW environment where irreverance, mischief, and lewdness thrive (I like to think of it as the Mos Eisley of the web). But that doesn't mean the site isn't extremely influential on web culture. Many of its exploits are famous, including taking over the Time 100 list, and it's also where some of the Internet's most famous memes got their start, including the Rick Roll and LOLcats. It's also known as the main hub for Anonymous, a group that has held a very public campaign against Scientology.

In other words, AT&T has just opened perhaps the most vindictive, messy can of worms it could have possibly found. Blocking any site is an extreme breach of user trust, but the decision to block 4chan in particular just seems stupid. Expect the web equivalent of rioting if this doesn't change soon.

[Pariah]

AT&T execs aren't too bright eh?

[Corvidia]

  I predict much hilarity.

[fomenter]

this should be amusing, anybody here follow the irc channels that get up to date planning/whats being done info?

[Iason Ouabache]

Info I've seen on /b/ so far:

-Most AT&T DSL (largest ISP in the US, 15.5% of US Internet users) customers ARE currently not able to access img.4chan.org (/b/ & /r9k/)
-There are a few AT&T DSL users that are NOT affected. Kansas, Florida, and Ohio are where we've gotten those reports. AT&T is a megacorp made from the smaller pieces it was broken down into in the 80s- different equipment and such.
-AT&T Mobility (Cell Phones) and AT&T Uverse customers ARE NOT AFFECTED.
-It IS NOT a DNS issue. Affected people have tried OpenDNS with no success.
-It IS very visible on a traceroute. It drops within the AT&T network.
-It DOES NOT affect AT&Ts Tier 1 backbone (major bandwidth backbone in US).
-It DOES NOT affect other servers on 4chan.
-People HAVE called customer service (allegedly) and confirmed a block, but agents have denied further info.

-Sporadic reports of former BellSouth Customers being blocked are coming in. The majority of forner BellSouth customers are currently NOT BLOCKED. The majority of former SBC Global Customers are.
-Tier 2 support (the non Indian guys) have confirmed that there is a block, have refused to comment further, other than the fact that they decided to contact NetAsset (4chan's hosting company) regarding it. Current rumormill is that it ISN'T CP- AT&T DSL customers have viruses that DDoS 4chan, using a TON of bandwidth. Bandwidth costs money for AT&T too.

[Iason Ouabache]

Also:

Just got a call back from AT&T - seems the reason for the block isn't CP.

It's because the site is a constant target of DDOS attacks that were routed through AT&T servers. AT&T blocked it because their bandwidth was spiraling out of control. Spread the word. It's not about content, it's about AT&T's pocketbook.

[Captain Utopia]

I may be off-base, but I was under the impression that anonymous had some pretty skilled folks who care about technology and are passionate about issues such as censorship. You know, the sorts of people who work in the field and to whom it's not just a job. I guess it's pointless speculation, but I like to think that a few members work at companies such as AT&T.

[the last yatto]

[Iason Ouabache]

Get all of your updates here:  http://encyclopediadramatica.com/AT%26T_Blocks_4chan

[fomenter]

i just checked and it seems i am effected and can no longer see /b/ or r9k, i am not letting the fact i almost never visit these sites and have never even tried to visit one of them before today lesson my outrage in the smallest amount...

[Requia ☣]

Call and harrass them.

[Requia ☣]

Also:

Just got a call back from AT&T - seems the reason for the block isn't CP.

It's because the site is a constant target of DDOS attacks that were routed through AT&T servers. AT&T blocked it because their bandwidth was spiraling out of control. Spread the word. It's not about content, it's about AT&T's pocketbook.

Then why are only /b/ and /r9k/ targeted.

For that matter, why target /r9k/ at all?

[fomenter]

Call and harrass them.

they got an email they have till my next bill comes due to restore full service or i find a new isp

[Thurnez Isa]

Thing is what internet providers (Im assuming its the same in the states) as soon as you threaten to cancel all of a sudden you hear about deals you never even knew existed.

[the last yatto]

what would happen if enough people asked Apple to break its at&t contract?