WWW Wikipedia Question 1

[Joe]

1. I was talking with a friend today who said that some people/entities/corporations/whomever are trying to restrict the access of internet users to Wikipedia. I am not sure who these "persons" are or might be, but might they be internet service providers, like Earthlink? Could Earthlink say, "No, Joe, you may not access Wikipedia unless you pay Earthlink an extra $5 a month fee"? Is the alleged move to charge fees to access Wikipedia related to the decline/demise of "net neutrality"?

(Damn. I tried to write another question but it accidentally got deleted.)

 

[Second Summer]

Technically, it's possible for Internet service providers (ISPs) to block any website, but I doubt they would be able to legally block a public website such as Wikipedia and then charge their users for access to that site.

I believe ISPs do routinely block sites with illegal content such as child pornography, and that is of course a good thing. However, some mobile phone service companies, at least here in the UK, are blocking various other "inappropriate" sites such as adult porn and sites they deem to contain hate speech etc. You have to make a request to unlock such content on your phone.

I have seen a message on Wikipedia recently asking for donations. (Wikipedia depends on donations for its operation.) So maybe this is what your friend meant? The message said something along the lines of "please help keep Wikipedia ad-free by making a donation".

 

[Joe]

Technically, it's possible for Internet service providers (ISPs) to block any website, but I doubt they would be able to legally block a public website such as Wikipedia and then charge their users for access to that site.

Thanks. Of course the "smart aleck" answer to "something is illegal" is to say "that just means it can become legal with the stroke of a pen" once the corporations get enough of their crony politicians elected.

I have seen a message on Wikipedia recently asking for donations. (Wikipedia depends on donations for its operation.) So maybe this is what your friend meant? The message said something along the lines of "please help keep Wikipedia ad-free by making a donation".

Yes, that is another of her concerns, but this one relates to third parties trying to leech off Wikipedia and/or its users.