Time For Google To Leave Italy? Italy Announces That YouTube Responsible For All Content

from the it's-not-tv dept

Not this again. The Italian government has long had trouble comprehending how YouTube is simply a platform for users. Of course, some might say this is willful ignorance. Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi owns Italy's largest private broadcaster, Mediaset, and doesn't much like the competition. In fact, back in 2008, Mediaset sued Google over its content appearing on YouTube, and a year ago, an Italian court (surprise, surprise) sided with Berlusconi and ordered YouTube to remove all Mediaset content, though it doesn't explain how YouTube is to know what is and what is not infringing. Of course, this is also the same country where a politician wanted to sue thousands of YouTube commenters for making fun of him under a video on YouTube. And, most famously, Italy is the country that bizarrely and inconceivably found Google execs criminally liable for a video posted to Google Video.

The latest in the Italian government's war against YouTube is that it's declared that YouTube qualifies as a TV station and is subject to television regulations (Google translation of the original Italian, found via Slashdot). What this means is that not only will YouTube/Google have to pay a tax as a TV broadcaster, but it now has other regulatory controls, including an obligation to publish "corrections" within 48 hours to anyone who claims they were slandered, and an obligation to not broadcast "inappropriate" content during times when children might watch.

But, of course, the biggest issue is that it says that if there's any editiorial control, even automated (so I assume the "favorites" or "recommended" lists count), suddenly, YouTube becomes liable for all of the content. In other words, in order to help Berlusconi win his lawsuit against YouTube, Italian politicians have effectively changed the law to make sure that YouTube is now liable for the content of third party users. This effectively means that the risk of running such a platform in Italy becomes ridiculously high. I imagine Google will fight this in the courts, but at some point, it makes you wonder if Google wouldn't just be better off leaving Italy altogether, and seeing how folks there feel about its government's decisions.
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Filed Under: italy, regulations, third party liability, youtube
Companies: google, mediaset, youtube


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  • identicon
    Stephen Whitmore, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:03am

    Nutty Italy

    I would just get out of Italy and see how they like.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Revi (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:09am

    They should just block all Google services in Italy. Replace Google with a page that just says "due to recent decisions of Italian courts, Google find operating in Italy too expensive." Leave it a week and see what happens.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:15am

      Re:

      What would happen is that people would move to bing or other services and not miss Google in the slightest.

      This story gives more to my theory that 2011 will be a serious day of reckoning for online services who thought they were exempt from the rule of the countries they choose to operate in.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:28am

        Re: Re:

        I seriously think you need to learn how technology works before you ever say anything like that again.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:29am

        Re: Re:

        Mollusconi will go after them too so they will miss something.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:40am

        Re: Re:

        You theory is based on what?

        BS I presume.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        The Infamous Joe (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:42am

        Re: Re:

        This does not make much sense. Since whatever alternative solution to using Google services is already on the market, those people who use Google in Italy have judged Google to be a better product. Suddenly being forced into using a lesser product is bound to piss people off.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:43am

        Re: Re:

        http://torrentfreak.com/5-anti-piracy-strategies-designed-to-hurt-torrent-sites-in-2011-110102/

        T he combined might of the MPAA and IFPI, with almost limitless funding and the ears of politicians worldwide, has failed miserably to take The Pirate Bay offline. Their lawyers couldn’t do it and their friends in government assisted by their friends in the Swedish police department couldn’t do it either.


        Happy 2011!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:43am

        Re: Re:

        Bing isn't as good as Google at delivering useful results.
        It's "ok", but not as good.
        That's true in the American marketplace, and it's true in the Italian marketplace.

        So you think the Italians will just say, "That's fine. We don't really need to have access to the best. We only need 'good-enough' "

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Richard (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:59am

        Re: Re:

        This story gives more to my theory that 2011 will be a serious day of reckoning for online services who thought they were exempt from the rule of the countries they choose to operate in.

        No it gives more to my theory that 2011 will be a serious day of reckoning for politicians who thought they could write laws (at the suggestion of big business) without reference to the wishes of the ordinary population and small businesses.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Revi (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:42pm

        Re: Re:

        I'm sorry... I thought I said "ALL". I meant ALL. Including YouTube, Google Docs, Google Maps, Gmail and Android Marketplace.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:57pm

        Re: Re:

        What would happen is that people would move to bing or other services and not miss Google in the slightest.




        And then Bing finds itself the victim of the same laws that Google is being hit with, and is then faced with the same pressure to leave. Repeat ad infinitum until Italy collapses or learns.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        European, 4 Jan 2011 @ 3:54am

        Re: Re:

        You totally forget everything google does, Android/Android Market/Google Apps/Gmail etc. It would really mess up the infrastructure for many people if Google just would close the access.

        Yeah for search they would use bing, but still getting cut of from email and Italy and italian websites removed form google would be really bad for the country economy :)

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 6 Jan 2011 @ 12:59pm

        Re: Re:

        'til the next most popular service gets sued for felony interference with a business model.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:16am

    Talk about FUD

    This is classic TechDirt right here:

    in order to help Berlusconi win his lawsuit against YouTube, Italian politicians have effectively changed the law to make sure that YouTube is now liable for the content of third party users

    I agree with the sentiment that this policy is a horrible idea that could jeopardize innovation on the internet. However, that doesn't mean that anyone suggesting such a policy is inherently evil. I am willing to bet that you have absolutely no basis on which to conclude that this AGCOM announcement is any way related to Mediaset's lawsuit. This is just classic FUD and is sadly all too typical of TechDirt commentary. Anyone that disagrees with Mike is always castigated as having ulterior motives.

    Mike, do you bother to do any research before you make allegations like this? I'm guessing no. If you had done even 5 minutes of research you would realize that Burlosconi has no authority over AGCOM. Unlike (most) agencies in the US, AGCOM is a controlled by the Parliament. A moment of research would also have revealed that Burlosconi is quite unpopular in the Italian Parliament at the moment.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:29am

      Re: Talk about FUD

      Yeah, but the story isn't half as good if there isn't some sort of wild political vengeance being had. Without that angle, it's just a government applying existing laws to new technology.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:39am

        Re: Re: Talk about FUD

        Yep except for the fact that the laws used to do that were just passed and Mollusconi used every leverage he could find, he is even changing the judiciary for daring to investigate his corruption.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:42am

        Re: Re: Talk about FUD

        I'd like to point you and the guy above you (thread) to this:

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlusconi#Controversies

        Mr. Berlusconi is not exactly an angel, as you can see, which makes his actions a whole lot more suspicious.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The Infamous Joe (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:31am

      Re: Talk about FUD

      When it comes to government officials, the appearance of impropriety is just as bad as actual impropriety. This *does* look sketchy, and that's just as bad as actually being sketchy when you're in the public eye.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The eejit (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:36am

      Re: Talk about FUD

      This is Berlusconi we're talking about. The same guy who has been known to write lawsto benefit his owned companies, paid for by the State and corruption, and on which he almost lost his power just six weeks ago.

      Berlusconi makes the House of Congress look like Snow White. I'd call that an impressive feat.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ALANTONE (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:37pm

      Re: Talk about FUD

      It is a well know fact that Berlusconi has taken advantage of his political position to take control of most private channels and with indirectly controling of state channels. (I have a bad habit of reading European newspapers)

      Therefore the person who would profit the most by locking out or controling Youtube would be Berlusconi. So Mike was right on target with this post.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Marco Ermini, 10 Jan 2011 @ 7:20am

      Re: Talk about FUD

      "If you had done even 5 minutes of research you would realize that Burlosconi has no authority over AGCOM. Unlike (most) agencies in the US, AGCOM is a controlled by the Parliament."

      If you had a clue about what you were talking about, and you read any Italian newspaper, you would know that Belusconi owns the Italian Parliament, to the extent of going to shopping for MPs votes whenever he needs them. He owns AGCOM as much as he owns 90% of TV channels, good part of newspapers and both their advertisements (so basically owns them all).

      What chances do you think that AGCOM can be slightly independent from Berlusconi? only someone totally biased or totally misinformed may believe so.

      Have a nice day (and thanks Mike)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:31am

    Mollusconi never ceases to amaze, he is using the government to make his business indestructible and it is even fighting with the judiciary for control.

    Mollusconi enact a lot of laws, most of it by threatening others, now the most impressive thing is that although people don't like him there is apparently nobody else less corrupt, that is just unbelievable.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      USAinEurope (profile), 9 Jan 2011 @ 3:03am

      Re: PM Silvio Berlusconi

      Dear AC
      What do you do if you have all the money in the world, is 77 years old ( helied about being only 70) and are a sef made man that cna do anything you want?
      PM Berlusconi proved to be stupid just by remainingunder the ribalta lights.
      You tube is being blamed in Italy AND Mexico by local MAFIAS as a vehicle being used to acquire and dissiminate information about kidnaping prospects.
      MAFIAs want to shut down Utube in Italy and Mexico.
      Primo Berlusca likes MONEY and GIRLS not controversy.
      He is a character and I'd rather have him as a President than "in bed with the same crowd" Oshama!
      Have a nice week-end everybody
      P.S> I'm Italian descendent fell fre to call me gumba, no offense taken! Oh Gramma is jewish if that helps you get wired!):

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Jay (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:37am

    *rolls eyes*

    Look, stop with the rhetoric please. There's a few things going on here. First, if any government is having a problem with third party liability, Mike calls them on it.

    FUD happens when you have no facts to back up your opinion. I think Mike is doing that quite well. Thank you for expanding on some of it, but perhaps next time, you can keep the speculative paragraph elsewhere.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Jay (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:38am

      Re:

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:13pm

      Re:

      The difficulty in reading TD at times is that the FUD is intentional, mixing fact and opinion together to create factoids, that are referenced later as facts to go together with other opinions to create, well, factoidois, I guess. Over time, the fact part gets smaller and smaller, and more of the discussion is based on the opinions that have been woven together to create a sort of alternate universe.

      The magic words of TD are "we have already shown that". Trust me when I say the next time Italy is mentioned, there will be the old "we have already shown how the president..." pointing to this story.

      It creates a sort of deny-ability for TD. The work required to go back step after step to find out where fact was replaced with opinion is no longer worth it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        The Invisible Hand (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:23pm

        Re: Re:

        "The work required to go back step after step to find out where fact was replaced with opinion is no longer worth it."

        Ah, so you just choose to sit here and complain, instead of doing some fact checking (thus, doing exactly the same thing you accuse TechDirt of).

        Good to know pinky.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        AJ, 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:27pm

        Re: Re:

        "The difficulty in reading TD at times is that the FUD is intentional, mixing fact and opinion together to create factoids, that are referenced later as facts to go together with other opinions to create, well, factoidois, I guess. Over time, the fact part gets smaller and smaller, and more of the discussion is based on the opinions that have been woven together to create a sort of alternate universe."

        WOW... replace TD with any of the AA's and I think you've nailed it... nice!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Jay (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 1:04pm

        Re: Re:

        I'm not sure how it's FUD and less opinion when an article already exists that explains the position described of Mike.

        If anything, a quick Google search describes just as accurately the very same things that Mike might have discussed.

        Seriously, I found this in 5 seconds. Does this put Berlusconi in a good light? No... It shows that perhaps Italy needs a change in government. I understand that you want to take some of the info with a grain of salt, but I'd rather have someone show me their line of reasoning than merely say "I believe this and no one can convince me"

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 2:52pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Jay, his legal issues are relevant only that we know he is pretty much pushing the legal limits in all cases. But this situation is run by an organization he does not control or have power over. It is a very big assumption (and opinion only) that he has somehow done this himself.

          This is the problem. I don't mind that TD expresses an opinion, only that the opinion has clearly stated as opinion, and doesn't come off as sour grapes because the guy is peeing on TD's favorite open the information universe innocent host logic.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 10:20pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Will you eat a bug if it comes to light that Mike (and many others elsewhere) are correct?

            link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Miles (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:49am

    What Google should do is...

    ... replace the website with a message reading:

    "This web page is no longer available due to the Italian Government claim of infringement."

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    johnny canada, 3 Jan 2011 @ 11:56am

    How long until Italy is removed from Google Maps ?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    PDB (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:47pm

    I'm an italian reader of TD.
    Berlusconi is an anomaly in all possible senses. Main examples could be him having factual control on 2 of the 3 branches of the state - legislative and executive - and attacking the judicial power every other day throughout the media. Or as well, controlling the media in the first place, from the papers to the TV, with a massive influence on the state televisions, besides his own channels which are basically as powerful.

    On AGCOMs independency - AGCOMs members are elected among the members of the parliament, with the president being nominated by the prime minister, so you cant really consider it an independent agency. On a side note, some of its members, as far as I can remember, belong to Berlunsconi's party. Im not very well informed on this but apparently its representation mirrors the political forces in the parliament.

    But anyhoo, what I guess is most important, the regulation doesnt address YouTube alone, but all user generated content broadcasting services that meet the criteria (a turnover of at least €100.000, and a weekly broadcasting schedule of at least 24 hours).

    I dont think the regulation will sort much effect eventually, I think this may conflict ECs directives which Im currently too lazy to look up.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Seven Star Hand (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 12:49pm

    They are trying to set the stage...

    Elements in the Italian government are controlled by the Vatican and Berlusconi was their boy, until the rats started jumping ship recently. The evidence of in-fighting is hard to hide now. They are struggling to set the stage for a defense against me, but that has already failed.

    Wikileaks and Youtube just happen to be the proxies of choice for now because coming directly after me exposes the truth about who the Vatican really is to their followers. Find me on YouTube to see what really scares the Bejesus out of the Vatican's hand picked politicians. That all ends soon though. Google leaving Italy would serve the Vatican's purposes of hiding certain details from Italians who are going to react very badly when they learn the truth...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Fred, 3 Jan 2011 @ 1:29pm

    and then?

    Yes, Google should leave Italy and hand every other government in the world a clear blueprint on how to sue this company out of their country. I can think of a few governments that would want to do it.

    Do you really think populations will rebel and take to the streets over some video-sharing site or even a spam-ridden search engine? You're kidding yourselves.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Seven Star Hand (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 2:54pm

      Re: and then?

      Google, Youtube, and Wikileaks are merely conduits for the (mostly) unfettered access to information. What those in power in Italy and elsewhere fear is "some" of the content that certain freethinkers have been able to post. Spam and other crap actually serves their purpose by serving as a distraction.

      As far as people taking to the streets, well that would be their choice. But when they go to the web and inform others about the truth concerning the lies that have been used to dupe and oppress billions for centuries, the "old guard" goes apoplectic and acts rashly, just as any cornered animal responds. You can't speak truthfully about Italian politics without understanding the Vatican's role.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 2:34pm

    Didn't Larry Lessig recently have a lecture with the Italian politicians over these kinds of issues? Obviously they weren't listening.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Andrew, 3 Jan 2011 @ 3:25pm

    Score 1 big point for service provider responsibility online. Service providers have responsibility for what they distribute in real life. Why shouldn't they have responsibility online?

    I think this is great news.

    If YouTube can't find a business model that doesn't involve piracy, maybe it is their business model that "needs to adapt"?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The Infamous Joe (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 4:09pm

      Re:

      I assume that you feel the same way about telephone companies, both land-based and wireless? If I break a law, even a civil one, should they also shoulder the responsibility if their service is what allowed me to break the law?

      Something tells me you're one of those people that don't think things through when it comes to "...on the internet".

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Mike, 3 Jan 2011 @ 4:38pm

        Re: Re:

        I wasn't aware that telephone companies are enabling the widespread piracy of billions of dollars worth of creative industry. What percent of individuals use their land line to make illegal phone calls? What percent of individuals use their ISP to make illegal data transfers?

        They aren't remotely comparable in size, scale, or effect.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          The Infamous Joe (profile), 3 Jan 2011 @ 4:59pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          I wasn't aware that telephone companies are enabling the widespread piracy of billions of dollars worth of creative industry.

          Verizon will be pleased with your ignorance.

          What percent of individuals use their land line to make illegal phone calls?

          What percent of individuals use their ISP to make illegal data transfers?

          It is clear you have lost all sight of reality. If someone calls your house and threatens to kill your family-- a very serious crime-- you don't think it warrants the service provider to take independent action. However, someone might upload a clip from Whose Line is it Anyway onto youtube and "holy fucking shit, we need this to stop right now, let's have everyone's ISPs police the entire internet right fucking now!!!!!oneoneone!!!three"

          Give me a break.

          illegal data transfers

          Tell me, my friend, from a third party point of view: How can one tell the difference between "legal" and "illegal" data. I can't wait to read this! :)

          They aren't remotely comparable in size, scale, or effect.

          Yes, someone might copy a song 1 MILLION times. What's 1 Million plus infinity again? Infinity? Well. Seems tiny, in size, scale *and* effect.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 3 Jan 2011 @ 5:55pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            BUT COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT!!!

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Mike, 4 Jan 2011 @ 5:36pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            If a telephone user uses the line to break the law by making murder threats, the police will appropriately deal with the problem. The telephone company will cooperate with wiretaps or any other necessary step to make this happen.

            On the other hand, if a YouTube user uses the service to break the law, no one will do anything. YouTube will sit on their ass and twiddle their thumbs. The user won't face any consequences. And the party whose rights are violated will just have to sit there and take it.

            Again, how are those remotely comparable?

            As for legal vs illegal content, that is YouTube's problem. No one forced them to embrace a business model that is impossible for them to moderate effectively.

            Maybe they should learn to adapt.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              The Infamous Joe (profile), 5 Jan 2011 @ 5:17am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              *sigh* For someone who feels so strongly about this, you don't seem to have a very firm grasp on it.

              If a telephone user uses the line to break the law by making murder threats, the police will appropriately deal with the problem. The telephone company will cooperate with wiretaps or any other necessary step to make this happen.

              I suppose you haven't heard of the DMCA. It, among other things, allows someone who feels that their copyrights are being infringed, to simply alert the service provider, who will then take down the *allegedly* infringing material. Without a trial, a judge, a warrant, or hell, even any proof that they actually hold the copyrights to the allegedly infringing material. It is worth pointing out, in case it isn't immediately obvious to you, that this is *easier* than the scenario you have described above with the telephone company.

              On the other hand, if a YouTube user uses the service to break the law, no one will do anything. YouTube will sit on their ass and twiddle their thumbs. The user won't face any consequences. And the party whose rights are violated will just have to sit there and take it.

              Go ahead and reread what I just wrote above, to give it a better chance of sinking in. Don't forget to click on the pretty blue words.

              Again, how are those remotely comparable?

              You're right, of course, in that they aren't. It's way easier to remedy an alleged copyright infringement than it is death threats on a telephone. I'm not sure that's the point you wanted to show, though. Sorry about that, pal.

              As for legal vs illegal content, that is YouTube's problem. No one forced them to embrace a business model that is impossible for them to moderate effectively.

              I suppose the fact that a company has taken YouTube to court over videos that the company itself put on YouTube is completely lost on you. If different parts of the same damn company can't tell the difference, then there is no way for a third party to do it.

              Maybe they should learn to adapt.

              Practice what you preach? :)

              link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 4 Jan 2011 @ 9:14am

          Re: Re: Re:

          Hi Mike/Andrew.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Johnny, 4 Jan 2011 @ 1:37am

    Get out of Italy

    Google should pull YouTube out of Italy, as long as nothing is hosted there*, it's a service running in the USA, then Italy has as much say about it as it does about anything else operating in the US. If Italy wants to block Italians from viewing YouTube they should do it themselves.

    * Much like they pulled out of China but stayed in Hong Kong.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    herbert, 4 Jan 2011 @ 3:42pm

    the Italians had the chance very recently of getting rid of Berlusconi, but voted to let him remain in office. perhaps this move will spur them to try again! this action is as bad as what the entertainment industries are slowly doing worldwide, ie preserving monopolies, stifling innovation and creativity and removing competition. save money, Google. get out of Italy and see what happens then!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Marco Ermini, 10 Jan 2011 @ 7:28am

      Re:

      Not really. The Italian Parliament had the chance, not the Italians... Berlusconi is trying desperately to hold on general elections.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    hmm, 8 Jan 2011 @ 3:54pm

    well

    google pulls out of Italy entirely.....
    The termination of googles massive cross-europe infrastructure disrupts a good portion of the internet across italy.....
    Most ISPs in Italy suddenly lose their ENTIRE email system since most now just license and rebrand gmail systems....
    Italians begin to access youtube and google by "other" means putting a massive strain on the rest of the italian backbone system.
    Due to the sudden shift in traffic, surfing pretty much grinds to a halt and italians begin to cancel their ISP contracts as its pointless having a connection that takes 30mins+ just to load a simple text page......
    ISPs begin to go under.....

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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