McDonalds taking a second look at wi-fi system that blocked gay websites
Sun. January 9, 2011 6:59 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
New Zealand -
Like many restaurant chains, McDonalds offers free wi-fi in locations in the United States and abroad. But a system in New Zealand has come under fire because it blocks access to gay and lesbian websites.
GayNZ reports that their own website, along with sites for organizations geared toward gay and lesbian youth, are filtered out as inappropriate by a wi-fi system at more than 130 McDonalds in the Wellington area.
The McDonalds spokesperson said the system was still in its infancy stage and could be tweaked.
"We stress that all the content of allowable sites must meet family friendly criteria. By this we mean a child cannot access a website where they can click on any content, link or third party advertisement and access sexually explicit content and images," a spokesperson said.
The filter also blocks access to online porn and gambling.
GayNZ reports that their own website, along with sites for organizations geared toward gay and lesbian youth, are filtered out as inappropriate by a wi-fi system at more than 130 McDonalds in the Wellington area.
The McDonalds spokesperson said the system was still in its infancy stage and could be tweaked.
"We stress that all the content of allowable sites must meet family friendly criteria. By this we mean a child cannot access a website where they can click on any content, link or third party advertisement and access sexually explicit content and images," a spokesperson said.
The filter also blocks access to online porn and gambling.