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German prosecutors make Compuserve suspend access to newsgroupswriting

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German prosecutors make Compuserve suspend access to newsgroups

``` From: IN%"farber@central.cis.upenn.edu" "Dave Farber" 28-DEC-1995 07:31:39.64

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: William Giles Russ Robinson CompuServe Incorporated CompuServe Incorporated 614/ 538-4388 614/ 538-4274

COMPUSERVE(R) SUSPENDS ACCESS TO SPECIFIC INTERNET NEWSGROUPS

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1995 -- During the past week, CompuServe Incorporated temporarily suspended access to more than 200 Internet newsgroups in response to a direct mandate from the prosecutor s office in Germany. Each of the newsgroups that was suspended was specifically identified to CompuServe by the German authorities as illegal under German criminal law. CompuServe did not select any groups or determine the nature of the newsgroups that have been impacted by this action. German government officials, as part of an investigation of illegal material on the Internet, ordered CompuServe to do what was necessary with respect to specified newsgroups in order to comply with German law. German authorities are investigating newsgroups and other Internet content that may contain child pornography, other pornographic material illegal for adults, as well as content that although not illegal for adults is of such an explicit nature that it is illegal for minors. While access has been suspended, CompuServe continues to work with German authorities to resolve this matter. CompuServe cannot alter the content on the Internet in any way and has only suspended access to the disputed newsgroups through CIS. The issues being investigated in Germany, like those being addressed across the industry, need to remain focused on the individuals and groups placing content on the Internet. CompuServe, as an access provider, is not responsible for the origination or nature of content on the Internet over which it has no creative or editorial control.

The global market is vital to CompuServe. We currently have 500,000 members in Western Europe and anticipate doubling that number in the next year. As the leading global service, CompuServe must comply with the laws of the many countries in which we operate. However, laws in different countries are often in conflict, and this creates new challenges unique to the emerging online industry. CompuServe is investigating ways in which we can restrict user access to selected newsgroups by geographical location.

From: IN%"jpp@software.net" "John Pettitt" 27-DEC-1995 20:50:36.86

This arrived in my mailbox (I have not personally confirmed it) ....

According to reports popping up in other places around the Compuserve Information Service it appears that they have taken a stance of Internet censor and are now blocking access to certain Usenet newsgroups. This move took place just before the Christmas holiday and remains unannounced to the membership/subscriber base.

Just about any Usenet newsgroup with the word "sex" or "erotica" are no longer available. Attempts to subscribe to these newsgroups produces an error message stating that the newsgroup does not exist. In reality its access has been blocked.

A short list (very short) of other newsgroup feeds that are no longer accessible as provided by another party to me include:

alt.homosexual alt.magick.sex alt.magick.sex.angst alt.motss.bisexua-l alt.politics.sex alt.recovery.addiction.sexual alt.recovery.sexual-addiction alt.religion.sexuality alt.sex alt.support.disabled.sexuality clari.news.crime.sex clari.news.gays clari.news.sex gay-net.coming-out rec.arts.erotica shamash.gayjews soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi

Other newsgroups also remain blocked or eliminated from a provided pick-list and if this is allowed to continue the likelihood of this spreading to other topics that a select group find offensive or intolerable is a very real threat.

A number of these newsgroups are legitimate groups for people needing support or recovery or places where frank discussions on adult subjects take place. Some are religious in nature though non-mainstream. Others are associated with the gay lifestyle. As you can see there is a definite trend being set here.

So far much of this change in access remains unknown to the vast majority of Compuserve customers who remain away from their terminals for the holidays.

If this bothers you I would suggest that you send a message to Compuserve customer services at GO FEEDBACK. Those using autopilot programs send e-mail to Feedback at 70006,101. From outside of Compuserve send e-mail to 70006.101@compuserve.com

We are supposedly paying a monthly fee which includes =full= Internet service and access. We are no longer getting it. That is misrepresentation.

Take this issue to your other favorite forums, newsgroups, etc. If we allow freedom of speech and access to be lost now we will never get it back. ```

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