Category: Censorship

ISPs Are Blocking Google Fiber’s Access To Utility Poles In California | Techdirt

And while this is generally an idea that would benefit all broadband providers, it would benefit new providers like Google Fiber the most. That’s why companies like AT&T, Comcast and Time Warner Cable have been blocking this pole-attachment reform, in some cases trying to claim such policies violate their Constitutional rights. The ISPs figure that if they can’t block Google Fiber from coming to town, their lawyers can at least slow Google Fiber’s progress while they try to lock customers down in long-term contracts.

Source: ISPs Are Blocking Google Fiber’s Access To Utility Poles In California | Techdirt

Cops charged after pot shop’s hidden cameras show them eating snacks | Ars Technica


Officers tried to block video as evidence. They said it violated their privacy.

Source: Cops charged after pot shop’s hidden cameras show them eating snacks | Ars Technica

Web Sheriff Sent “Forged” Taio Cruz Birth Certificate to MusicBrainz – TorrentFreak


Anti-piracy outfit Web Sheriff has found itself mired in controversy after asking a music metadata site to change information relating to the artist Taio Cruz. After asking for proof that Cruz’s birth name is not Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere as listed, MusicBrainz received a birth certificate from Web Sheriff. However, it’s being claimed that the document is a forgery.

Source: Web Sheriff Sent “Forged” Taio Cruz Birth Certificate to MusicBrainz – TorrentFreak

Photographer hassled by Port of Tyne for filming a sign on a wall • The Register


Security guards seized tog’s equipment, said he was a ‘lunatic’ – and called police

Source: Photographer hassled by Port of Tyne for filming a sign on a wall • The Register

Mississippi lawmaker admits his education bill is to protect creationism | Ars Technica

“I just don’t want my teachers punished… for bringing creationism into the debate.”

Source: Mississippi lawmaker admits his education bill is to protect creationism | Ars Technica

Texas cop indicted for searching car of activist filming the police | Ars Technica


“Are you going to identify yourself?” meets “What crime have I committed?”

Source: Texas cop indicted for searching car of activist filming the police | Ars Technica

Dentist said to hit patients will pay $12k for trying to out YouTube critic | Ars Technica


“Psycho dentist” video remains up, and the attempt to remove it was costly.

Source: Dentist said to hit patients will pay $12k for trying to out YouTube critic | Ars Technica

Disney CEO asks employees to chip in to pay copyright lobbyists | Ars Technica


Letter boasts of beating Aereo, getting TPP—and wants workers’ help in 2016.

Source: Disney CEO asks employees to chip in to pay copyright lobbyists | Ars Technica

How A Treasury Terror List Is Preventing Americans With ‘Scary’ Names From Using Online Services | Techdirt

Gamasutra, which broke the story, reports that when Khan submitted his request, he received an unusual denial, one explaining that his name had come up as “a match against the Specially Designated Nationals list maintained by the United States of America’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.” Epic was, in other words, refusing Khan the opportunity to try out its new game simply because his name resembles that of someone who might be financially involved with terrorism.

Khan tweeted a a screengrab of the rejection form and hashtaged it “#Islamophobia.” Surprisingly, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney replied to another tweet about the issue, claiming that it had been caused by an “[o]verly broad filter related to US trade restrictions.”

Source: How A Treasury Terror List Is Preventing Americans With ‘Scary’ Names From Using Online Services | Techdirt