http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/26/att-blocks-4chan-this-is-going-to-get-ugly/
QuoteAs 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.
:weary:
AT&T execs aren't too bright eh?
:lulz: I predict much hilarity.
this should be amusing, anybody here follow the irc channels that get up to date planning/whats being done info?
Info I've seen on /b/ so far:
Quote-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.
Also:
Quote
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.
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.
(http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/3802/attyourworlddestroyedd.jpg) (http://img371.imageshack.us/i/attyourworlddestroyedd.jpg/)
Get all of your updates here: http://encyclopediadramatica.com/AT%26T_Blocks_4chan
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...
Call and harrass them.
Quote from: Iason Ouabache on July 27, 2009, 03:36:36 AM
Also:
Quote
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?
Quote from: Requia ☣ on July 27, 2009, 04:11:45 AM
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
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.
what would happen if enough people asked Apple to break its at&t contract?
:popcorn:
I can't wait to see what happens. :lulz:
I like where this clusterfuck is headed.
http://888chan.org/net/#
http://z6.invisionfree.com/ProjectATT/index.php
:lulz:
Ban lifted. We can now go back to ignoring the /b/-tards.
whew that was close, i don't know if i could handle prolonged contact even fighting for good cause..
Agreed. Deprive untold basement - dwelling sock fuckers of their lulz, pron, and torrents, and they might actually GO OUTSIDE. The miasma itself would sicken the masses. The CDC likely stepped in.
Oh heavens no, how dare those fascists deprive their paying internet clients of child pornography :roll:
Quote from: la neige cône on July 27, 2009, 05:25:27 AM
what would happen if enough people asked Apple to break its at&t contract?
today
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/27/apple-is-growing-rotten-to-the-core-and-its-likely-atts-fault/
5 days ago
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/697773/Why-Amazon-And-ATT-Should-Fear-The-Apple-Tablet-And-New-iPod-Touch.html
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=21504
breaking up the happy family does seem like a great idea
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2009/tc20090612_492771.htm
Late to the Tethering Game
Another feature the new iPhone is designed to offer is tethering, which lets a wireless phone act like a modem and share its wireless Internet connection with a nearby notebook PC. This handy feature has been available on Palm's (PALM) Treo, Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry, and scores of other devices for years. Slides presented by Forstall at the conference showed that while 22 carriers in 42 countries will support tethering on the iPhone right away, AT&T will not. More laughter at AT&T's expense.
Quote from: Richter on July 27, 2009, 01:15:44 PM
Agreed. Deprive untold basement - dwelling sock fuckers of their lulz, pron, and torrents, and they might actually GO OUTSIDE. The miasma itself would sicken the masses. The CDC likely stepped in.
The thing about 4chan... it keeps all the pedos and /b/tards in one place. If 4chan were to become unavailable, its users would simply spread to other sites and drown them with CP and other faggotry. Plus, banning any site (even retard gathering areas like 4chan) sets a nasty precedent for future censorship. One of the best ways to keep an eye on your civil rights is to keep an eye on the lunatic fringe: so long as they're free to spew their idiocy, you'll be free to spew yours.
The first I heard of this was via a site devoted to understanding open-source warfare and the like.
Wasn't AT&T one of those companies pushing strongly for getting rid of Net Neutrality?
It wasn't censorship because of content either, it was because of the amount time 4chan spends under dos which but a large strain through the AT&T network.
Frankly I would do the exact same or worse in their situation.
QuoteThe thing about 4chan... it keeps all the pedos and /b/tards in one place. If 4chan were to become unavailable, its users would simply spread to other sites and drown them with CP and other faggotry. Plus, banning any site (even retard gathering areas like 4chan) sets a nasty precedent for future censorship. One of the best ways to keep an eye on your civil rights is to keep an eye on the lunatic fringe: so long as they're free to spew their idiocy, you'll be free to spew yours.
Why does everyone repeat this dumb argument for 4chan and its stolen from a far more sinister site. Do you really think that if 4chan went down, the principia would be inundated with stupid and childporn?
Its called multiple tabs, its users aren't constrained to the site.
If gaia went down... well thats a different story altogether *fears*
FCC Asks Apple, AT&T To Explain Why They Rejected Google Voice App (http://consumerist.com/5327677/fcc-asks-apple-att-to-explain-why-they-rejected-google-voice-app)
:fnord: :link: :lulz:
who would have thought eh? that the government would do something useful for once, tho explain to me why they havnt been able to break up cable by channels
Quote1. What role, if any, did AT&T play in Apple's consideration of the Google Voice and related applications? What role, if any, does AT&T play in consideration of iPhone applications generally? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or in any non-contractual understanding between the companies) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
2. Did Apple consult with AT&T in the process of deciding to reject the Google Voice application? If so, please describe any communications between AT&T and Apple or Google on this topic, including the parties involved and a summary of any meetings or discussions.
3. Please explain AT&T's understanding of any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol applications that are currently used on the AT&T network, either via the iPhone or via handsets other than the iPhone.
4. To AT&T's knowledge, what other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone? Which of these applications were designed to operate on AT&T's 3G network? What was AT&T's role in considering whether such applications would be approved or rejected?
5. Please detail any conditions included in AT&T's agreements or contracts with Apple for the iPhone related to the certification of applications or any particular application's ability to use AT&T's 3G network.
6. Are there any terms in AT&T's customer agreements that limit customer usage of certain third-party applications? If so, please indicate how consumers are informed of such limitations and whether such limitations are posted on the iTunes website as well. In general, what is AT&T's role in certifying applications on devices that run over AT&T's 3G network? What, if any, applications require AT&T's approval to be added to a device? Are there any differences between AT&T's treatment of the iPhone and other devices used on its 3G network?
7. Please list the services/applications that AT&T provides for the iPhone, and whether there any similar, competing iPhone applications offered by other providers in Apple's App Store.
8. Do any devices that operate on AT&T's network allow use of the Google Voice application? Do any devices that operate on AT&T's network allow use of other applications that have been rejected for the iPhone?
9. Please explain whether, on AT&T's network, consumers' access to and usage of Google Voice is disabled on the iPhone but permitted on other handsets, including Research in Motion's BlackBerry devices.
:fap:
I honestly wish all ISPs would block /b/ and /r9k/. On principle.
Quote from: Horrendous Foreign Liam Stoat on July 27, 2009, 08:31:36 AM
fucking good on att I say. 4 chans a waste of bandwidth and should be cleansed from the face of the internets.
shame they never stuck to their guns!
would ave been funny as fuck.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb408/world_of_b/1287088316472.jpg)
I disagree with HFLS. Some of the parts of 4ch is where I can plug into the insane, retarded, brutal, inhuman part of my sense of humor that can't be accommodated by normative society.
It's important.