Comment by pjc50

2 days ago

This has been noticeable since Tahrir square; I used to say that Twitter gives you a revolution whether you need it or not.

But it's becoming increasingly clear how badly compromised the whole thing is with fake opinions and enemy propaganda.

I don't like either of the options. I don't like control by the state, and I don't like control by mad billionaires. I don't like the far right cesspool of 4chan, but can't disagree with their position that they shouldn't have to care about OFCOM.

3 comments

pjc50

ben_w 1 day ago

> I don't like the far right cesspool of 4chan, but can't disagree with their position that they shouldn't have to care about OFCOM.

While I agree with this statement, I thought there was some kind of requirement that OFCOM goes through a process like this before being allowed to ask for a domain to be blocked in the UK?

The latter is, I think, something OFCOM should be allowed to do with a restriction that it can only come after other options fail.

pjc50 1 day ago
Oh, it's much more stupid than that: OFCOM can't block websites, I just checked and it's available on my phone right now. They've issued a fine to 4chan instead. Which they are ignoring.
Imgur have gone the other direction: they have voluntarily blocked the UK (!), which is very irritating when trying to browse Reddit.
There's certainly a process, but not a good one.
(separate from all this, the Internet Watch Foundation maintains a blocklist which ISPs voluntarily follow, of actual CSAM.)
- ben_w 1 day ago
  
  > OFCOM can't block websites, I just checked and it's available on my phone right now.
  Until the process is complete, that's not evidence of inability, that's just the process:
  Where appropriate, if a provider fails to comply with its safety duties, we can also seek a court order for ‘business disruption measures’, such as requiring payment providers or advertisers to withdraw their services from a platform, or requiring Internet Service Providers to block a site in the UK.
  - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-c...
  > There's certainly a process, but not a good one.
  Indeed. There does seem to be a mutual non-comprehension of how the internet functions amongst lawmakers and enforcers in both the UK and the USA; both seem to act like they have more sovereignty over the internet than is possible without reaching much faster for a block order for sites outside their respective jurisdictions.