United provided internet access/blocking restrictions [Consolidated]
Apr 27, 2015, 4:45 pm
#76
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 2
OK, so, I was pleasantly surprised today (04/27/2015) when I attempted to access some "Gun Related" sites from one of the C-terminal WiFi's and I didn't get a SINGLE blocked message. Either they removed the blocks, or their firewall was on the fritz. I'm going to assume (and hope) the former.
(Posted from a Delta Club with no blocked sites...that I know of)
(Posted from a Delta Club with no blocked sites...that I know of)
May 3, 2015, 4:40 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
May 8, 2015, 3:45 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
In SEA UC and most gun websites still blocked. I did make 3 purchases from non scary named online firearm retailers though.
Jun 24, 2015, 9:39 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
Hoping it is a sign of good things to come. I'm in IAH E Club and there are no restrictions on any gun related websites. DEN west was still blocked on Monday am when I started this week.
Aug 20, 2015, 7:50 pm
#82
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
Finally checked. i can access any firearm website I wish on the plane which makes the United club decisions to block (except in IAH!) firearm related websites the more perplexing.
Aug 29, 2015, 9:01 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
United blocked certain news sites on in-flight wifi [now restored]
Ars Technica reports United blocked a number of news sites on in-flight wifi recently:
- The New York Times
- Ars Technica
- The Verge
They've reverted the change now. No explanation for why it was blocked or how sites that find themselves blocked can appeal UA's decision.
- The New York Times
- Ars Technica
- The Verge
They've reverted the change now. No explanation for why it was blocked or how sites that find themselves blocked can appeal UA's decision.
Aug 29, 2015, 9:08 am
#84
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: LHR / SFO / EWR
Programs: UA
Posts: 18
Ars Technica reports United blocked a number of news sites on in-flight wifi recently:
- The New York Times
- Ars Technica
- The Verge
They've reverted the change now. No explanation for why it was blocked or how sites that find themselves blocked can appeal UA's decision.
- The New York Times
- Ars Technica
- The Verge
They've reverted the change now. No explanation for why it was blocked or how sites that find themselves blocked can appeal UA's decision.
Aug 29, 2015, 10:21 am
#85
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: UA 3.6 MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,582
Yes. All news sites were blocked on my flight yesterday DXB-IAD. not even finance.yahoo.com was working. Only way to get news was to go to google.com and google news and click headlines.
I thought the world was ending and United didn't want us to know before we landed.
I thought the world was ending and United didn't want us to know before we landed.
Aug 29, 2015, 3:05 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
I'm sure that UA outsources their blocking stuff to some third-party, and I'm sure that third-party was blocking those sites due to some aglorithmic mess-up. So the answer to "why" is "random glitch", and nothing more.
Aug 29, 2015, 7:08 pm
#87
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
I can see a reason to block services like VoIP or streaming videos in a flight, but news sites? Now they want to be our big brother?
I'm at the United Club now and it is also blocking Dropbox. Unbelievable.
I'm at the United Club now and it is also blocking Dropbox. Unbelievable.
Aug 29, 2015, 7:27 pm
#88
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Aug 29, 2015, 7:32 pm
#89
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
My guess would be a common ad or analytics service that they all use was flagged by an automated process.
Aug 29, 2015, 7:39 pm
#90
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
And I'd bet it is because of the increased use of video on news sites. Whatever system they're using dumped those sites into the "Video" category and no one noticed. Once the complaints came in they fixed it.