AT&T Blocks 4chan, Stirs Internet Hornet's Nest

From PC World: High on the list of Things Not To Do on the World Wide Web is "hack off 4chan," the anonymous Internet message board community that blurs the line between a low-filtered Internet sounding board and launching pad for hijinks, Rickrolls, and full-scale protests. If you surfed one of the site's gateways--especially the notorious board for random posting, "/b/"--you might understand why an average person could take offense to the kinds of humor, images, and messages that get posted in upwards of 150,000 to 200,000 times each day.

Well, AT&T took offense, at least. According to numerous reports from users nationwide, the Internet Service Provider began blocking access to parts of 4chan--specifically, the img.4chan.org subdomain that's used by the /b/ message board--as early as 10 a.m. Pacific time Sunday morning. As the 4chan users began assembling online to wage their private war, Centralgadget.com was able to confirm with AT&T corporate that the company was, "currently blocking portions of the internet site 4chan.org."

The reason? AT&T was, "following the practices of their policy department." According to the unknown AT&T representative, the company allegedly contacted 4chan site owner Christopher "Moot" Poole regarding specific requests that needed to be met to avoid the block. However, Poole maintains that he has received no communication from AT&T.

AT&T allegedly lifted the block around 12 hours after it began, with users confirming full access to 4chan's /b/ board--before the entirety of 4chan was brought down for an unknown reason--around 11 p.m. PST. This hasn't quelled those behind the newly created "Project AT&T" group and associated "4chan4ever" Twitter feed, however. They've since launched a Digg campaign to proclaim the false death of AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and promise more Internet warfare today.

View: Article @ Source Site