Verizon Wireless blocks 4chan

The popular 4chan Web site has been blocked by Verizon Wireless for some unknown reason, but the oddity grows as it is now appearing to be regional and the same is not being done by standard Verizon lines.

According to ReadWriteWeb, those lovable rapscallions over at 4chan have been blocked by the wireless division of Verizon, but no explanation has been given as of yet to why.  While it has been confirmed that the site is indeed blocked in some areas, those on Verizon Wireless in the New York area seem to be able to get on the site.  Verizon customers with home subscriptions to the service, such as FIOS and DSL, are reporting no issues with accessing the site.

For those unfamiliar with 4chan, it launched in 2003 as an “imageboard”, a site based around the sole purpose of posting images.  The 4chan site rose to notoriety due to its lack of a registration system, meaning that anyone could post to the site anonymously.  Over the years it has rose to prominence due to its ability to start Internet memes such as “Rickrolling” and the LOLcats.  The loose knit group has also gained some fame by spinning off a group known as “Anonymous” that has taken issue with the Church of Scientology and launched both online and real world protests of the controversial religious group.

This past July, AT&T also blocked 4chan for about 24 hours without explanation, but it was later revealed it was due to a DDoS (Denial-of-service attack) that was originating from an IP address associated with the board. Although the founder of 4chan, a user known as “moot”, has spoken with Verizon, and confirmed the block, no reason was given as to why.  Multiple sources say they have spoken with Verizon at this point, and all of them have confirmed that the Internet company is not giving any indication as to the cause of the block.

Earning the ire of 4chan is akin to poking a sleeping bear, you know it isn’t going to end well.

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