Australian Internet Providers Block 4Chan, Others for Hosting Christchurch Video

Australian internet providers have blocked 4chan and other websites for continuing to host the video from the Christchurch attack, 9News reports. Telstra, a provider, said it blocked websites including “4chan, 8chan and Voat, the blog Zerohedge and video hosting platform Liveleak.” “We understand this may inconvenience some legitimate users of these sites, but these are extreme circumstances and we feel this is the right thing to do,” Telstra executive Nikos Katinakis said in a statement. Other providers, like Optus and Vodafone, didn't say which websites they have blocked but the same websites reportedly failed to load on their networks Tuesday afternoon. Vodafone reportedly said it came to the decision “independently,” adding that the Christchurch attack was “an extreme case which we think requires an extraordinary response.” Optus told 9News it blocked the websites after “reflecting on community expectations.” A spokesman for Australia’s eSafety commissioner said it did not provide “any direction or advice” to the providers regarding blocking access to the sites. Liveleak, in a statement, said it did not want to be the “vehicle of choice” for those who want to carry out the “most terrible of events,” like the Christchurch shooting. The man behind the attack, which left 50 dead, broadcasted the attack live on his Facebook page and posted a manifesto about his motivations on social media.