In a move lauded by parents and social activists, McDonald's, one of America's popular family fast food chain, has blocked porn access from its free Wi-Fi service effective immediately. The decision covers all of the chain's branches and franchise across the United States.
McDonald's has been offering free Wi-Fi service in its chains for a while now and consumers say that the company does provide fast internet service. New York Post reports that McDonald's free Wi-Fi service has been taken advantage by people who come to the fast food chain to watch porn and child pornography, or download X-rated media from the internet. A group of activists -- called Enough is Enough --- launched a campaign in 2014 to push McDonald's corporate office to do something about this, especially when its establishments are often visited by kids.
Enough is Enough has targeted not just McDonald's but also other food establishments offering free Wi-Fi service, such as Starbucks and Subway. "None of these scenarios match the family-friendly environment that you have worked so hard to create," the group stated in their letters to the corporate offices. Apparently, corporate heads are not aware that this is happening in its branches until the group pointed their attention to it.
Heeding to the call, McDonald's has already started blocking porn access in its establishments during the first quarter of 2016. It has also implemented a "new filtered Wi-Fi policy" in all of its branches, including those owned by franchisees. The company stated it is committed to making McDonald's a safer place for children, per the Enough is Enough press release.
BREAKING: We praise @McDonalds 4 protecting children/families from internet p*rnography -top priority #PornFreeWifi pic.twitter.com/vfXWXMyXJF
— Enough Is Enough (@EIETweets) July 13, 2016
Fox reports that internet safety is a huge problem in the United States and internet pornography remains largely unregulated. Apart from catering to voyeurism, porn sites are actually used for child pornography, solicitation, hacking and other felonies.
A free Wi-Fi access is making it more difficult for authorities to deter the crimes. The group hopes that after McDonald's, other chain stores would follow in its example.
