
In just the last few hours, it seems that AT&T has gone looking for trouble in
the one place it is guaranteed to find it. Reports are coming in from all over that the communications giant is
blocking access to 4chan, specifically the /b/ board. Discussions are
here and
here.
I've never been to /b/, but I've benefited from some of the funny stuff they come up with. I'm well aware of its reputation as the cesspool of the internet. You don't have to be a member or a fan to pull for its continued existence as a matter of free speech.
But the real fireworks are yet to come. On the one hand, there's AT&T, which owns iPhone service and just about all the phone line hardware in the US. About 15% of US users rely on AT&T for internet access. Factor in the company's history, political pull, and sheer size, and it seems invincible. On the other hand, 4chan has a shitload of members, including anonymous investigators, organizers, and hackers, with a track record of causing mayhem for anyone who crosses them. Just ask Oprah.
Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.