New Zealand McDee's blocks Gay website - sign of things to come?

Biggins

A strange and unusual situation from New Zealand.
What's worrying, is it a way of thinking that other companies might follow?

The English Times today:

McDonald’s New Zealand condemned over wi-fi gay site blocks

It seems that in New Zealand gay lifestyles do not fit in with McDonald’s idea of family friendly, with the fast food chain under fire from gay groups in the island nation for blocking their websites on its wi-fi network.

McDonald’s New Zealand said that it was reviewing its internet access policies after gay groups complained that their content was being censored in its 132 restaurants nationwide.

The review came after the website GayNZ.com published an open letter to McDonald’s saying that its site and others offering advice and resources to the gay community had been barred.

Rainbow Youth, a support group for gay youth, was also blocked but a New Zealand Aids Foundation site was not.

The company said that it barred gambling, tobacco and adult websites from its wi-fi service because it was a family restaurant and all content needed to be suitable for children.

They said this extended to sites where clicking on links and third party advertisements could provide access to sexually explicit material.

The fast food giant said that it would review the situation on a case-by-case basis if it was felt there was any content unjustifiably blocked and that it used standard filtering software and did not discriminate against any particular communities.

Mark Hawthorn, McDonald’s managing director, said standard filtering software was used and there was no discrimination against any communities.

“There are millions and millions of websites from around the world and some sites with the word gay have got through and some haven’t, which shows it’s nothing to do with the gay community,” he said.
“There will be some sites that are actually available that shouldn’t be and some that should be that aren’t and we will be relying on our customers to tell us which ones we need to look at.”
However, all links and advertisements must also be acceptable, he said.

Tom Hamilton, Rainbow Youth’s executive director, said however there was no inappropriate content on the organisation’s website. “Obviously there is a flaw in their approach, websites like Rainbow Youth are not of any danger to young people.

“It is for young people to make informed decisions for themselves and the culture they are involved in,” he told Radio New Zealand.
There appeared to be no consistency in the company’s policy, GayNZ.com added.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/australia-newzealand/article2870203.ece

Is this a step too far in blocking and censorship? Are McDonalds trying to justify their censorship by using adverts as a convenient excuse.
I'd be interested to hear what others think. I'm unsure about this one myself.

Orion

People who feed their kids McDonald's $hite probably wouldn't care if they saw gay pron.

prinz

Biggins wrote: »

Is this a step too far in blocking and censorship? Are McDonalds trying to justify their censorship by using adverts as a convenient excuse.
I'd be interested to hear what others think. I'm unsure about this one myself.

No. If they are providing the wi-fi they should have the right to block what they want. Don't like it? Go somewhere else. Well done McD's tbh.

Jesus Wept

Sounds fair enough.
They've blocked sites that have ads for adults sites.

I'm sure they have banend lots of 'hetrosexual' sites too.

It clearly in their business interests to not have people watching youjizz while eating their chicken nuggets.

FatherLen

well the only "gay" sites i can think of would be porn and dating/social sites and they could argue that these are not family friendly as you may have to be over 18. oh and face book thats pretty gay too

Duggy747

Sounds to me the site just got thrown in automatically with others sites in McD's proxy. If there's links to more........ahem.......adult stuff then I don't see a problem.

You'd see the same on bog standard filtering software in companies and organisations where some websites are blocked for obvious reasons while others that shouldn't be are.

Categorising failure.

starbelgrade

Gives a new meaning to the phrase "Cock Blocking".

Links234

The-Rigger wrote: »

It clearly in their business interests to not have people watching youjizz while eating their chicken nuggets.

do you think that all gay websites are porn sites?

Biggins

Fair enough, some good points made.

Jesus Wept

Links234 wrote: »

do you think that all gay websites are porn sites?

The Rigger wrote:

They've blocked sites that have ads for adults sites.

.

This seems in direct contradiction to that campaign they launched ages ago in which a father and his gay son are sitting together in one of their restaurants.

Jesus Wept

No, it doesn't.

WindSock

They should make a gesture and change the name to Gay Meal.

biko

I thought "New Zealand McDee's" referred to some politician.

prinz

Let's not forget they are blocking gambling, tobacco and adult sites.... it's not some fast-food conspiracy against gay sites only as much as some would like to pretend it is.

chin_grin

Links234 wrote: »

do you think that all gay websites are porn sites?

Sure this is the only site on the internet I've found that ISN'T pr0ns! Internet's riddled so it is.

But it's a kind of "careful now" approach. Maybe if they blocked certain content locally on their sites (ads\pop ups [heheheh]\etc) would they come to a mutual agreement?

Cookie_Monster

prinz wrote: »

No. If they are providing the wi-fi they should have the right to block what they want. Don't like it? Go somewhere else. Well done McD's tbh.

this pretty much


and anyway blocking all the porn sites is a far more serious crime, why aren't all NZ men out complaining about that one, eh?

Duggy747

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

anyway blocking all the porn sites is a far more serious crime, why aren't all NZ men out complaining about that one, eh?

Exactly, if I were running a fast-food chain with free wi-fi I'd have shortcuts to porn sites...........no **** though, there'd be a terribly sticky mess all over the floors.

starbelgrade

And it's Maccy D's, Biggins, Not McDees... McDees sounds like a clothes shop for old ladies (probably more your style!).

Links234

The-Rigger wrote: »

.

This is one of the sites mentioned in the article that was blocked: http://www.rainbowyouth.org.nz/

Irish Guitarist

McDonalds do a lot of things that are worrying. This isn't one of those things.

I saw a video the other day where a comedian said that people were taking everything for granted. It was largely unfunny but he made a good point. He said that he was sitting on a plane with internet access and the internet cut out for a minute. The man sitting beside him with a laptop said "this is bullsh1t!" whereas he should have been glad he was sitting in a chair in the sky using the internet.

I think this is similar in a way. A couple of years ago you couldn't have gotten internet access in McDonalds; now instead of being grateful people are whinging about rights. Seriously, is it that big a deal to wait until you go home to access a website?

AnonoBoy

Who goes to McDonald's to look at porn sites?

starbelgrade

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

Seriously, is it that big a deal to wait until you go home to access a website?

If adults want to whip out their todgers & crack one off under the table at a family restaurant whilst watching porn, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to do so.

It's all about "protecting the children" these days.

Shower of immature little pricks.

Duggy747

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Who goes to McDonald's to look at porn sites?

*raises hand*

AnonoBoy

Duggy747 wrote: »

*raises hand*

*shakes head slowly*

prinz

Links234 wrote: »

This is one of the sites mentioned in the article that was blocked: http://www.rainbowyouth.org.nz/

Why don't you link one of the gambling or tobacco sites now? Oh wait... yeah no point in mentioning those.

Gunsfortoys

Kids shouldn't be allowed to eat in McDonalds anyway.

Doop

In fairness McDonalds didnt set out to exclude anyone, its not as if someone said oh yeah now we're setting up wi-fi we must block all the gay sites, was done automatically and now they're willing to look at sites on a case by case basis... dont see a problem here really.

FatherLen wrote: »

well the only "gay" sites i can think of would be porn and dating/social sites and they could argue that these are not family friendly as you may have to be over 18. oh and face book thats pretty gay too

Possibly the stupidest post ive read in a while congrats to you :rolleyes:

MagicSean

3 and vodafone do the same thing over here. My mate was gutted when he got his new iPhone and couldn't get porn on it.

General Zod

you have to ask for the restrictions to be lifted ^^


Regarding the OP, McDonalds is a private company and as such has every right to block whatever it wants, just as consumers have the right not to use the facilities of such a company if it engages in such a practice.

Not very hard to understand, guys.

bonerm

Should have gone next door to Bugger King.

Daith

Yep, already said that it's their network. They can do what they want with it.

Though I do see why it's unfortunate that a helpful support website is being blocked it just the way their content software works.

MagicSean

General Zod wrote: »

you have to ask for the restrictions to be lifted ^^


Regarding the OP, McDonalds is a private company and as such has every right to block whatever it wants, just as consumers have the right not to use the facilities of such a company if it engages in such a practice.

Not very hard to understand, guys.

I think vodafone will lift them but I dont think 3 will remove them at all.

Coriolanus

Tell him to jail break it.

Anyway mountain over a molehill imo.

AnonoBoy

They probably use some NetNanny type program to block access to undesirable sites so really the issue should be with that program not McDonald's.

There was a big thing a few years ago about some Internet Protection program (not sure if it was NetNanny or what) that blocked youth gay sites like that Rainbow one which were not offensive but only provided information to young gay teens. This guy contacted them pointing out that they should lift the block on sites like this. They refused. He then started a web campaign to get them to lift access to gay youth information sites and they started blocking his site.

It's all fun and games until someone comes out.


But McDonald's can block what they want - they're providing limited free access to the net on their premises. It's their rules and it doesn't seem like they're on some anti-gay campaign. They're just blocking whole swathes of the internet. They don't want people sitting there with a Big Mac and cheese and Twisty Fries gambling away or jacking off to horse porn.

amacachi

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I saw a video the other day where a comedian said that people were taking everything for granted. It was largely unfunny but he made a good point. He said that he was sitting on a plane with internet access and the internet cut out for a minute. The man sitting beside him with a laptop said "this is bullsh1t!" whereas he should have been glad he was sitting in a chair in the sky using the internet.

Louis CK.

Einhard

prinz wrote: »

No. If they are providing the wi-fi they should have the right to block what they want. Don't like it? Go somewhere else. Well done McD's tbh.

Actually, I'm not quite sure they would be allow to censor as they wish. They provide the wi-fi as part of a service they provide to the general public, and I doubt very much whether they'd be allowed to discriminate against specific groups as part of that service. I doubt they are actually doing it from a homophobic POV by the way.

Do you applaud them for restricting gay oriented sites, or just for the restrictions in general?

Einhard

Daith wrote: »

Yep, already said that it's their network. They can do what they want with it.

No, I don't think they can. If the sites are being blocked inadvertently (which is more than likely the case) then fair enough. But if they were specifically blocking non-pronographic gay sites, then I can't see how they wouldn't run foul of discriminatory laws. If you are a commerical enterprise open to the general public you can't discriminate as you like just because you own the premises. Just look at the B&B oweners in the UK who have to accept gay couples if they wish to remain open.

prinz

Einhard wrote: »

Do you applaud them for restricting gay oriented sites, or just for the restrictions in general?

The restrictions go far beyond gay orientated sites so that can be put to bed, notice how you say nothing about the rest of the restricted sites. I applaud Maccy D's for exercising their rights in a sensible way.

General Zod

Einhard wrote: »

Actually, I'm not quite sure they would be allow to censor as they wish. They provide the wi-fi as part of a service they provide to the general public

the "free" wifi is not to the general public, it is to mcdonalds customers. It is "free" in that it is at no cost to the consumer, it is not unfettered access to everything on the internet. Consumers can choose to use the service on McDonalds terms or not at all.

I'm certain that it's not McDonald's blocking certain websites for not being of "family values", rather they don't want to get sued by parents who find their child is using the free wi-fi to download porn.

They are simply covering their own back by using web filtering software, and it's the fault of the web filtering software policy, not McDonalds in particular that false positives get caught.

BizzyC

Seems a big deal made out of something small.

McD's are using filtering software to block content not suitable for children. The fact is that websites that use the terms "Gay", "Lesbian", "Sexuality" are likely to trigger most filtering software.

I'm sure you'd be hard pushed to find any websites relating to sex and sexual orientation through their network, not just the gay/lesbian ones.

Jesus Wept

Links234 wrote: »

This is one of the sites mentioned in the article that was blocked: http://www.rainbowyouth.org.nz/

Maybe it's the condoms and lube ad.

Dangerous Man

Yup, they're offering condoms and free lube. A lot of people would find that offensive, and not family friendly. There's no conspiracy here. The gay advocacy groups can put their placards away although by Christ I'm sure they'd love nothing more than to organize a big huge rainbow-coloured international protest against McDonald's. That'd get them attention, I'm sure...

sandmanporto

Mcdonalds food is disgusting. Their chips are the only thing I "ate"! I never eat that ****..
I notice their new advert with your man wearing the sweater that changes colour when he fancies her. In the advert your man says is she lookin and she's double eyed.. Saying ur man lookin is drunk... this kinda appeals to Irish audiences in a way..
I think mcdonalds should be shut down to be honest! I hate the place!

Fight_Night

Dangerous Man wrote: »

Yup, they're offering condoms and free lube. A lot of people would find that offensive, and not family friendly. There's no conspiracy here. The gay advocacy groups can put their placards away although by Christ I'm sure they'd love nothing more than to organize a big huge rainbow-coloured international protest against McDonald's. That'd get them attention, I'm sure...

:rolleyes:

sandmanporto wrote: »

Mcdonalds food is disgusting. Their chips are the only thing I "ate"! I never eat that ****..

Nothing better than 12 chicken mcnuggets and a bit of ketchup, you're missing out my friend.

Jesus Wept

sandmanporto wrote: »

Mcdonalds food is disgusting. Their chips are the only thing I "ate"! I never eat that ****..
I notice their new advert with your man wearing the sweater that changes colour when he fancies her. In the advert your man says is she lookin and she's double eyed.. Saying ur man lookin is drunk... this kinda appeals to Irish audiences in a way..
I think mcdonalds should be shut down to be honest! I hate the place!

What else do you hate so that we can shut it down? :P

Daith

Dangerous Man wrote: »

Yup, they're offering condoms and free lube. A lot of people would find that offensive, and not family friendly.

I find condoms very family friendly. Also kudos on the lube, its a pain in the hole when you dont have any!

efb

I hope they block all the religious bs websites too, flying spagetti monsters, pfft!

I never had a prob with social gay websites in McD's but not in NZ,I've never been.

Victoria tube blocked one tho! Ironic, dontcha think!!!

efb

Daith wrote: »

I find condoms very family friendly. Also kudos on the lube, its a pain in the hole when you dont have any!

Surely condoms by their nature, is family unfriendly!

durex 1-0 family

RichieC

amacachi wrote: »

Louis CK.

And he said it was "largely unfunny"... I feel sorry for people with no sense of humour

RichieC

sandmanporto wrote: »

Mcdonalds food is disgusting. Their chips are the only thing I "ate"! I never eat that ****..
I notice their new advert with your man wearing the sweater that changes colour when he fancies her. In the advert your man says is she lookin and she's double eyed.. Saying ur man lookin is drunk... this kinda appeals to Irish audiences in a way..
I think mcdonalds should be shut down to be honest! I hate the place!

yes, let's shut down everything YOU don't like!


what great world that would be! ....for you.