Comments on: Blocking of innocent websites by O2 Ireland

By: Digital Rights Ireland » Garda plans to introduce web blocking in Ireland

Digital Rights Ireland » Garda plans to introduce web blocking in Ireland — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:21:51 +0000

[...] There will also be extensive collateral damage. This is because the proposed system relies on blocking domains and subdomains – that is, blocking everything on example.com even though the only material involved might be on example.com/users/johndoe123. Consequently, Irish citizens will find themselves unable to access entire domains based on allegations against one individual page, image or user. This is not a theoretical risk – it has already happened to O2 users who found the entire image hosting site IMGUR blocked due to a similar system operated by O2. [...]

By: O2 Broadband | Uncategorized | Information about VoIP phone service!

O2 Broadband | Uncategorized | Information about VoIP phone service! — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:08:53 +0000

[...] Digital Rights Ireland » Blocking of innocent websites by O2 Ireland [...]

By: Administrator

Administrator — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:58:41 +0000

@Justin

I think you’re quite right – it looks like the UK list is being used for DNS blocking not hybrid URL blocking as deployed by the BT Cleanfeed system for example.

By: Justin Mason

Justin Mason — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:03:28 +0000

the UK equivalent _does_ maintain a blocklist, however, and if I recall it lists both hostnames (ie. suitable for a host-wide block) and URL patterns (ie. suitable for blocking a subset of a single host).

My theory is that O2 are using that UK list, and using it incorrectly; instead of using the latter portion to block a subset, they’re using it as if it were part of the former portion, and blocking the entire site(s) listed.

Alternatively, it could just be an accuracy problem with the list. Speaking from experience in anti-spam systems, without sufficient oversight and testing, it’s very easy for a blocklist to over-reach and cause false positives in an attempt to “catch everything”.

By: Tweets that mention Digital Rights Ireland » Blocking of innocent websites by O2 Ireland -- Topsy.com

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:24:48 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Conor Lalor and Don Speekingleesh, Kate O'Hanlon. Kate O'Hanlon said: O2 blocking innocent websites in Ireland http://bit.ly/afRCPV [...]