LinkNYC Pulls the Plug on Internet Browsing at Kiosks to Avoid Porn Problem

NEW YORK, NY — LinkNYC has pulled the plug on porn for anyone trying to tune in on the city's new WiFi-enabled kiosks.

The company put out a release on Wednesday saying they would be disabling web browsing on all machines in order to avoid the problem of people "using them inappropriately." The company emphasized the 475,000 New Yorkers who have used the stations as they were intended, but acknowledged there have been unforeseen problems.

"We also know that some users have been monopolizing the Link tablets and using them inappropriately, preventing others from being able to use them while frustrating the residents and businesses around them," the statement reads. "The kiosks were never intended for anyone’s extended, personal use and we want to ensure that Links are accessible and a welcome addition to New York City neighborhoods."

There have been dozens of stories about homeless, or frankly possibly non-homeless, men using the kiosks to stream pornography. People have even taken to Twitter to publicly shame men using the kiosks for nefarious uses right in the light of day.

"Starting today, we will be removing web browsing on all Link tablets while we work with the City and community to explore potential solutions, like time limits," the release says.

City Councilman Corey Johnson wrote a letter to city's Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications on Aug. 17 saying he'd "personally observed individuals watching pornography on the kiosk screens, in front of nearby children" and asking for issue to be "addressed immediately."

The kiosks, over 300 of which have been installed over the city, give users the ability to charge cell phones, make calls, check maps, and access 311 and 911. All of those features will remain in use, LinkNYC said. There are a little over 300 in Manhattan so far, with another 17 in the Bronx and five in Queens. The city is planning on bringing the technology to all 7,500 former payphone locations. You can find the location nearest you on this map.

Mayor Bill de Blasio first announced an initiative to repurpose old pay phones with updated technology in 2014, with the first kiosks rolling out for testing in January 2016.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons