Comments on: London cops' signs in Internet cafe warn against loading porn and "extremism" http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Mitch http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778755 Mitch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778755 That sign makes me want to go to the cafe to look at porn. Some librarians in the US believe that it isn't proper to forbid people to look at pornography but they will bring a privacy screen to keep other patrons from seeing it. That sign makes me want to go to the cafe to look at porn.

Some librarians in the US believe that it isn’t proper to forbid people to look at pornography but they will bring a privacy screen to keep other patrons from seeing it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779013 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779013 Another grey area to add to their list of subjective statutes, what is that now ? We can get arrested and charged with resisting arrest and nothing else, a paradox. We can get arrested for no reason what so ever and be detained indefinitely. Another grey area to add to their list of subjective statutes, what is that now ?

We can get arrested and charged with resisting arrest and nothing else, a paradox.

We can get arrested for no reason what so ever and be detained indefinitely.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778775 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778775 Kill two birds with one stone and download extreme porn. Kill two birds with one stone and download extreme porn.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778779 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778779 Do you seriously not know the difference between nudity and pornography? Do you seriously not know the difference between nudity and pornography?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778799 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778799 this internet people keep talking about is really a scary place. .~. this internet people keep talking about is really a scary place.

.~.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779312 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779312 They did not even run a spellcheck: how "innappropriate"! They did not even run a spellcheck: how “innappropriate”!

]]> By: Baldhead http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778810 Baldhead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778810 What if you're being extremely nice? What if you’re being extremely nice?

]]> By: bbbaldie http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778556 bbbaldie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778556 Aren't porn and extremism in the eyes of the beholder? Aren’t porn and extremism in the eyes of the beholder?

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778557 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778557 But how would cops know what I'm looking at on the computer?... But how would cops know what I’m looking at on the computer?…

]]> By: TheCrawNotTheCraw http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778813 TheCrawNotTheCraw Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778813 It's a nice poster. It just needs a psychedelic paisley background instead of the plain purple. I wonder if it is for sale. I can see this being popular on U.S. college campuses in dorms and off-campus housing...as an object in passive ridicule. It’s a nice poster. It just needs a psychedelic paisley background instead of the plain purple.

I wonder if it is for sale. I can see this being popular on U.S. college campuses in dorms and off-campus housing…as an object in passive ridicule.

]]> By: TimDrew http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778559 TimDrew Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778559 I find this poster to be extremely inappropriate and offensive. I find this poster to be extremely inappropriate and offensive.

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778560 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778560 gosh - i hope there's a bobby looking over my shoulder at all times to make sure i don't download anything inappropriate or offensive. there's a list of that sort of thing isn't there? because if they stop me before i read anything bad, then i won't be a criminal will i? i want to be certain. gosh – i hope there’s a bobby looking over my shoulder at all times to make sure i don’t download anything inappropriate or offensive. there’s a list of that sort of thing isn’t there? because if they stop me before i read anything bad, then i won’t be a criminal will i? i want to be certain.

]]> By: zerode http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779584 zerode Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779584 The scary/bad thing about this poster is its deceptiveness, as a number of people have indicated. On the one hand, it is true that the internet cafe can restrict what use you make of their equipment. On the other hand, much of what they seem to be restricting - eg, most pornography - is not illegal, just violates their 'acceptable use policy." But by having this poster (seem to) issue from the police, and including the phrase about informing the police, they create a sense that a whole range of legal uses of computers and the internet (including looking at hate sites - if you're not in Germany or Austria - and getting your porn fix for the day) are illegal. Bad The scary/bad thing about this poster is its deceptiveness, as a number of people have indicated.

On the one hand, it is true that the internet cafe can restrict what use you make of their equipment. On the other hand, much of what they seem to be restricting – eg, most pornography – is not illegal, just violates their ‘acceptable use policy.”

But by having this poster (seem to) issue from the police, and including the phrase about informing the police, they create a sense that a whole range of legal uses of computers and the internet (including looking at hate sites – if you’re not in Germany or Austria – and getting your porn fix for the day) are illegal.

Bad

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778567 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778567 or upload, access, transmit or store.... btw, would it be okay if i brought my own computer in to look at bad stuff? then it wouldn't be on your system right? then i'd be safe, wouldn't i? or upload, access, transmit or store….

btw, would it be okay if i brought my own computer in to look at bad stuff? then it wouldn’t be on your system right? then i’d be safe, wouldn’t i?

]]> By: dreamfish http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778577 dreamfish Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778577 'Offensive' according to what criteria? Could that include political satire or making fun of religions? Also, if it also lists 'pornographic', what is meant by 'inappropriate'? Another term so widely interpretable that it's effectively meaningless. ‘Offensive’ according to what criteria? Could that include political satire or making fun of religions?

Also, if it also lists ‘pornographic’, what is meant by ‘inappropriate’? Another term so widely interpretable that it’s effectively meaningless.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778578 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778578 so, time to start up/downloading bunches of BDSM involving women in veils in public. so, time to start up/downloading bunches of BDSM involving women in veils in public.

]]> By: Pantograph http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778582 Pantograph Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778582 I'm glad that Londoners are still free to think what they want them to think. That drink in Cory's hand looks tasty. I’m glad that Londoners are still free to think what they want them to think.
That drink in Cory’s hand looks tasty.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778583 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778583 Cory- you deserve an ice cream cone! Cory- you deserve an ice cream cone!

]]> By: Marcel http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778589 Marcel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778589 What if you take that poster off the window, put it under a scanner in the internet cafe, and proceed to modify the image on one of their computers to produce a satirical mock-up? Would that be offensive? What if you take that poster off the window, put it under a scanner in the internet cafe, and proceed to modify the image on one of their computers to produce a satirical mock-up?
Would that be offensive?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779101 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779101 Thought "straight" porn wasn't illegal? Thought “straight” porn wasn’t illegal?

]]> By: dreamfish http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778590 dreamfish Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778590 I wonder if Cory was arrested for taking photos in public? Taking a photo of a poster in a window? Obviously suspicious and therefore must be treated as potential terrorist activity. I wonder if Cory was arrested for taking photos in public?

Taking a photo of a poster in a window? Obviously suspicious and therefore must be treated as potential terrorist activity.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778847 Donald Petersen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778847 Don't worry... there always *is* "a bobby looking over your shoulder." I read yesterday that there are 500,000 security/surveillance cameras in London. Half a million. Yeah, I'd have to assume they're monitoring your data, too. Don’t worry… there always *is* “a bobby looking over your shoulder.” I read yesterday that there are 500,000 security/surveillance cameras in London. Half a million.

Yeah, I’d have to assume they’re monitoring your data, too.

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778595 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778595 Several flavors of gum are described as extreme. While I understand that searching for those flavors of gum would be verboten, would the user be liable if they showed up in and ad? Many sporting events are both violent and extreme, so maybe a filter could be put on that removes any images of players colliding, or having conflicts with other players. Which would make boxing and UFC more surreal. Several flavors of gum are described as extreme. While I understand that searching for those flavors of gum would be verboten, would the user be liable if they showed up in and ad? Many sporting events are both violent and extreme, so maybe a filter could be put on that removes any images of players colliding, or having conflicts with other players. Which would make boxing and UFC more surreal.

]]> By: howaboutthisdangit http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779366 howaboutthisdangit Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779366 Given the way the authorities react to simple public photography, I wonder what they would do if you sat there browsing pictures of local attractions and scenery. Will someone, someday be arrested for sitting in a public place looking at pictures of public places? It sounds absurd, but much of what has been happening lately would've sounded absurd just a few years ago. Given the way the authorities react to simple public photography, I wonder what they would do if you sat there browsing pictures of local attractions and scenery. Will someone, someday be arrested for sitting in a public place looking at pictures of public places? It sounds absurd, but much of what has been happening lately would’ve sounded absurd just a few years ago.

]]> By: Enormo http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778609 Enormo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778609 That frappachino is going to make you fat. That frappachino is going to make you fat.

]]> By: Cory Doctorow http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778613 Cory Doctorow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778613 It's a carrot-juice with ginger, smarty pants. I'm trying to shake a cold. It’s a carrot-juice with ginger, smarty pants. I’m trying to shake a cold.

]]> By: shadowfirebird http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778614 shadowfirebird Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778614 Not just illegal, please note, but "offensive or inappropriate". Offensive to whom? Inappropriate to what? These are the sort of catch-all weasel-words you might expect in China. You might as well just have a notice that says: "We reserve the right to terminate your connection and report you to the police whenever we feel like it". Not just illegal, please note, but “offensive or inappropriate”. Offensive to whom? Inappropriate to what?

These are the sort of catch-all weasel-words you might expect in China.

You might as well just have a notice that says: “We reserve the right to terminate your connection and report you to the police whenever we feel like it”.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778615 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778615 Someone needs to get these guys a better copywriter. That sign essentially bans using the internet. "All customers agree that while using our systems they will not access, upload, download any material, or author, transmit or store documents..." The rest of it is just sub-sets of documents and materials that are banned. Oops. Someone needs to get these guys a better copywriter. That sign essentially bans using the internet.

“All customers agree that while using our systems they will not access, upload, download any material, or author, transmit or store documents…” The rest of it is just sub-sets of documents and materials that are banned.

Oops.

]]> By: TimDrew http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-778618 TimDrew Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-778618 And those shoes he's wearing look cruel... And those shoes he’s wearing look cruel…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/05/london-cops-signs-in.html#comment-779130 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-779130 Hint: Use Tor (Vidalia on OS X) or tunnel your traffic using ssh. Hint: Use Tor (Vidalia on OS X) or tunnel your traffic using ssh.

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