Verizon Wireless Blocking 4chan, Comcast Filtering Ends (Updated)
As has been the case all weekend, Verizon Wireless is actively blocking the boards.4chan.org subdomain on port 80, which is where each individual image and discussion board is stored on the popular site, while allowing all other traffic free reign. In related news, Comcast itself filtered access to the main page and boards domain for a few hours Sunday night before restoring full access a few hours later. Both companies have yet to release official statements on the matter.
With the FCC actively pursuing inquiries into Verizon Wireless business practices and Comcast receiving penalties from the body for covertly filtering and shaping BitTorrent traffic which was found to be illegal, both conglomerates are set for another showdown regarding net neutrality and the ramifications of censorship with the regulatory body.
4chan was previously blocked by AT&T last year after a wave of DDOS attacks leveled at the imageboard caused the service provider to block select parts of the domain until the issues could be resolved, but not before it violated its own policies regarding customer and site owner notices, leading to various protests and criticism of the conglomerate.
Update: Verizon Wireless spokesperson Jeffery Nelson has released the following statement–
“Our network security system found traffic from some 4Chan web sites that had strong potential to disrupt the Verizon Wireless network, affecting our customers’ use of their services,” “With continuing investigation, and ensuring no current risk of harm, are giving the green-light to all 4Chan traffic. We will continue to monitor for any possibility of network harm.”
As 4Chan runs ads from adult websites on its non-worksafe boards and is currently fighting another wave of spam with infected archives being posted as highly requested files, the reasoning for the blockade makes more sense, although the potential for actual harm is being exaggerated for the sake of impact.



