AT&T Censoring the internet

[Feels Good Man]

*UPDATE - /b/ no longer blacklisted - see HERE for more info.

Here's what happened:

For the past three weeks, 4chan has been under a constant DDoS attack. We were able to filter this specific type of attack in a fashion that was more or less transparent to the end user.

Unfortunately, as an unintended consequence of the method used, some Internet users received errant traffic from one of our network switches. A handful happened to be AT&T customers.

In response, AT&T filtered all traffic to and from our img.4chan.org IPs (which serve /b/ & /r9k/) for their entire network, instead of only the affected customers. AT&T did not contact us prior to implementing the block. Here is their statement regarding the matter.

In the end, this wasn't a sinister act of censorship, but rather a bit of a mistake and a poorly executed, disproportionate response on AT&T's part. Whoever pulled the trigger on blackholing the site probably didn't anticipate [nor intend] the consequences of doing so.

We're glad to see this short-lived debacle has prompted renewed interest and debate over net neutrality and internet censorship—two very important issues that don't get nearly enough attention—so perhaps this was all just a blessing in disguise.

Aside from that, I'll also add that there is some big news due later this week. Keep an eye on the News page, Twitter, and global message for updates.

As always, I can be reached at [email protected].

---

PS: If any companies would like to hook us up with some better hardware, feel free! The architecture we've got powering this large and influential beast is really quite embarrassing. ( ._.)

False alarm guys. Sorry for the inconvenience this topic has caused.

 

[Ferrariman]

Good for them, what a save.

 

[RupeeClock]

/b/ really is an awful place on the internet, but net-censorship just ain't right.
AT&T may experience severe backlash, I mean /b/ do some serious shit when they feel like it, protesting Scientology or...protecting cats from abusive 14 year olds.

 

[Hop2089]

They're doing it all wrong it's the evil 12chan that should be blocked, not 4chan.

 

[RupeeClock]

They're doing it all wrong it's the evil 12chan that should be blocked, not 4chan.

AT&T have full knowledge of their access rates, and probably went for the most predominant problem, /b/.

I mean what's in the news? /b/.
What's the entire of 4chan often mistaken for? /b/
What's the section of 4chan that often has child porn posted on it for the sake of trolling? /b/

You don't see anything coming out of /v/ or /co/, I don't even think anything comes out of /r9k/.

 

[bobrules]

Hahaha, thank god. This is pretty funny.

 

[Joe88]

probably not the best idea to start an attack on CEO's and high up exec's

its one thing messing with random unknown people but this is bit a different

 

[m3rox]

Good, and while they're at it, they can have the rest of the site taken down.

 

[r9delta]

As disgusting as /b/ is net-censorship is even more disgusting.

 

[Feels Good Man]

They already have info on top CEO's and stuff >__

 

[antonkan]

I think it's in wrong section becuase this didn't mention video games, just the Internet.

 

[Law]

...and nothing of value was lost.

 

[Lily]

Well, I've got to say, I'm one that would love to see 4chan erradicated from the internet. Nothing good or worthwhile comes from it. Same with Twitter. Why couldn't they block Twitter, too?! Oh the humanity.

HOWEVER.

ISPs deciding to block individual sites is wrong. I'm sick and tired of ISPs randomly implementing new policies (torrent throttling, anyone?) that no-one can prevent them from doing. Access to the net should be unfiltered. If they don't like it, don't be an ISP. Wanna be an ISP? Fuck off and stop making choices for the user that they don't want. They're acting like that asshole driver on the road who's driving exactly the speed limit in an area where you're unable or it's unsafe to pass them. Don't be teaching me the speed limit, jerkoff. That's why we have police, to enforce the rules.

Ugh.

 

[jesuschristmonke]

This isn't about whether or not 4chan /b/ is ridiculous, raunchy, unnecessary.

This is at&t trying to be more than a "dumb pipe" provider. I believe from a legal standpoint, once they filter content they are taking responsibility for everything else that comes across their pipes. Even the illegal stuff.

That and 4channers are straight up crazy when it comes to messing with corporations.

Bad move Ma Bell.

 

[Canonbeat234]

Good, and while they're at it, they can have the rest of the site taken down.

You sir shut up! Yes 4chan is the horror of the internet, but come on now we all have common sense to go there and NOT to go there. If you are stupid or horny enough to visit 4chan /b then you deserve it all the more!

 

[Hop2089]

Well, I've got to say, I'm one that would love to see 4chan erradicated from the internet. Nothing good or worthwhile comes from it. Same with Twitter. Why couldn't they block Twitter, too?! Oh the humanity.

HOWEVER.

ISPs deciding to block individual sites is wrong. I'm sick and tired of ISPs randomly implementing new policies (torrent throttling, anyone?) that no-one can prevent them from doing. Access to the net should be unfiltered. If they don't like it, don't be an ISP. Wanna be an ISP? Fuck off and stop making choices for the user that they don't want. They're acting like that asshole driver on the road who's driving exactly the speed limit in an area where you're unable or it's unsafe to pass them. Don't be teaching me the speed limit, jerkoff. That's why we have police, to enforce the rules.

Ugh.

I agree with this, they need to stop doing things meant for the Police, FBI, and Interpol, it makes no sense.

 

[RupeeClock]

Good, and while they're at it, they can have the rest of the site taken down.

You sir shut up! Yes 4chan is the horror of the internet, but come on now we all have common sense to go there and NOT to go there. If you are stupid or horny enough to visit 4chan /b then you deserve it all the more!

I frequent /v/ and /co/, and never visit /b/.
4chan is nothing like what people make it out to be, when people talk about 4chan they're almost certainly talking about /b/ and ONLY /b/.

 

[Reaper]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AT&T is going to have their asses kicked now lol

 

[da_head]

as funny as this is, what gives an isp the right to control what sites we visit?

 

[mrfatso]

well, i hope those americans get ready to change their ISP, once 4chan is done with them, i hope they are still alive