Adult websites permanantly restricted on 3?!

[punk_beatz]

I just tried to access tshirthell.com on my Desire having just got my first smartphone with 3. It loads a page that says the content is restricted. I called them as I thought I'd just have to say I was over 18, but was told 3 does not allow any of its customers to access the adult websites they want to, even if they pay. You can pay 5 pounds per month to access 3's adult material, but you still can't look at any site you like, including the comedy and culture sites censored by 3 for bad language.

As the network provider that stresses they are all about the best mobile internet experience, this seems crazy. Especially since you can access any sites on any other network.

Anyone else got a view on this?

 

[JsT]

First I've heard of it to be honest and I've been a 3 customer for about 5 years!

 

[punk_beatz]

That's exactly what another friend of mine said. I'm confused though, I Googled this and found comments on a blog post from 3 that had users saying they weren't happy for having their internet access censored by 3, and a spokesperson for 3 replying back saying that's just the way it was.

Saying that though, my friend is on 3 and can access whatever he wants. When I called they were very adamant that no 3 customers can access explicit internet sites containing nudity, excessive bad language, excessive violence and inappropriate content even if they were over 18.

Anyone else know the score on this?

 

[master_yoda]

The xseries silver add on is your friend here

Just accessed tshirthell.com no problem on my Desire on the Three UK network

 

[JsT]

I have xseries silver too so maybe thats why I dont have a problem either.

 

[Geejay]

Personally I think it's disgraceful, but Three are adamant and completely unapologetic about it. There seems to be at least two workarounds. I've used the first and can confirm it works a treat.

#1. Change your mobile network settings...
I'm running a Hero, so hopefully these instructions will be roughly the same for you. You'll be changing your mobile network settings and setting up a new APN (Access Point Name).

Go into settings/wireless controls/mobile network settings/Access Point Names. You'll see one padlocked APN there - 3. Go into it to access all the settings. Make a written note of all of them.

Then back out, hit your menu button and create a new APN. I called it 3proxy. Make sure all the settings on it are the same as the padlocked 3 one, except for one crucial change. Change the APN from three.co.uk to 3internet.co.uk.

Make the 3proxy APN your default one and you should now be able to access whatever you like.

#2. Change your default browser...
I haven't tried this, since I only stumbled across it recently. Apparently if you change your browser to Opera mini then you can access whatever you like. It seems Opera uses a proxy so Three don't realise you're accessing restricted sites. Presumably you just download Opera mini from the Marketplace and set it as default.

Hope this helps

 

[master_yoda]

Personally I think it's disgraceful, but Three are adamant and completely unapologetic about it. There seems to be at least two workarounds. I've used the first and can confirm it works a treat.

#1. Change your mobile network settings...
I'm running a Hero, so hopefully these instructions will be roughly the same for you. You'll be changing your mobile network settings and setting up a new APN (Access Point Name).

Go into settings/wireless controls/mobile network settings/Access Point Names. You'll see one padlocked APN there - 3. Go into it to access all the settings. Make a written note of all of them.

Then back out, hit your menu button and create a new APN. I called it 3proxy. Make sure all the settings on it are the same as the padlocked 3 one, except for one crucial change. Change the APN from three.co.uk to 3internet.co.uk.

Make the 3proxy APN your default one and you should now be able to access whatever you like.

#2. Change your default browser...
I haven't tried this, since I only stumbled across it recently. Apparently if you change your browser to Opera mini then you can access whatever you like. It seems Opera uses a proxy so Three don't realise you're accessing restricted sites. Presumably you just download Opera mini from the Marketplace and set it as default.

Hope this helps

Both those methods should work fine.

The only slight downside to them is:

#1. Change your mobile network settings...

The 3internet APN doesnt work all of the time on 2G (orange roaming), its a bit hit and miss.


#2. Change your default browser...

Opera mini is not as good as the default browser on the desire, no pinch to zoom etc.


Still these are the only work arounds for the problem at the moment if you dont want to pay

 

[theartfullodger]

Hey, I can't get at it (TshirtHell only, no not looked at any of those other sites..) either (N1, froyo, SIM only

 

[simmy44]

I'm on 3 but I can access Tshirt hell, & a lot worse for that matter, Porn hub, keez, etc ? (yes, I am a bit of a perv)

 

[master_yoda]

Hey, I can't get at it (TshirtHell only, no not looked at any of those other sites..) either (N1, froyo, SIM only

 

[JsT]

Do they still sell X Series Silver now or has it been replaced? I do hope 3 dont discover this little 'work around'!

 

[master_yoda]

Do they still sell X Series Silver now or has it been replaced? I do hope 3 dont discover this little 'work around'!

You can still get the xseries silver add-on by phoning customer services and asking for it. In fact the xseries silver add-on has actually been recommended by customer services to a few customers who have complained to them about the content filter!

 

[JsT]

There has been a bit of a riot on the official Three Blog (blog.three.co.uk) about this and this is 3's response:

Moderator
on August 10, 2010

@Adrian

 

[Geejay]

JsT...I'd like a look at that, but can't find the blog in question. Have you got a direct link?

Thanks

 

[JsT]

Geejay, discussion is here - Launch date for iPhone 4 on Three. Welcome to the Three Blog

 

[Geejay]

Thanks for that.

Looks like the mod wasn't fully up to speed on current policy...here's a later post. Still an internet filter, and still no way of officially removing it unless you pay

 

[JsT]

Another example of 3 not understanding their own policies..........

 

[simmy44]

To get the adult content restriction removed you have to prove to them you are over 18 for PAYG this means paying them 99p via credit card which they then put into your 3 account. This request comes up as a prompt when you click to purchase anything on what they deem a adult content website.

 

[Member12446]

To get the adult content restriction removed you have to prove to them you are over 18 for PAYG this means paying them 99p via credit card which they then put into your 3 account. This request comes up as a prompt when you click to purchase anything on what they deem a adult content website.

Even after setting a PIN they still block some web sites.

The page to enter your credit card is also only HTTP. Not sure that's a good idea!

 

[Member12446]

Details here, seems you can't do anything about it....

our network has a filter that automaticallly blocks access to websites that contain content of an adult nature. This includes nudity, unacceptable violence, racism, and websites that could expose you (or our network) to hacking, phishing and other harmful content. If you

 

[spatuluk]

To get the adult content restriction removed you have to prove to them you are over 18 for PAYG this means paying them 99p via credit card which they then put into your 3 account. This request comes up as a prompt when you click to purchase anything on what they deem a adult content website.

I tried that, but for some reason it doesn't accept my card details, so I can't unlock it. :|

 

[sbreadon]

i have the wildfire and cannot access any 18+ restricted but could on my nokia e71. I dont understand? anyone help

 

[master_yoda]

i have the wildfire and cannot access any 18+ restricted but could on my nokia e71. I dont understand? anyone help

Sorry I have no idea why you could access adult content on your nokia but you cant now. Unless it has something to do with changing tarrifs since you got your shiney new Wildfire? ..maybe the new tarrif has the content filter in place

Download opera mini from the android market and install that on your Wildfire, it will allow you to access restricted content.


I appear to be lucky, I switched from an old Mix n Match tarrif with x-series silver add-on (which has no content filter) to the Sim

 

[Placidmaster]

I just tried to access tshirthell.com on my Desire having just got my first smartphone with 3. It loads a page that says the content is restricted. I called them as I thought I'd just have to say I was over 18, but was told 3 does not allow any of its customers to access the adult websites they want to, even if they pay. You can pay 5 pounds per month to access 3's adult material, but you still can't look at any site you like, including the comedy and culture sites censored by 3 for bad language.

As the network provider that stresses they are all about the best mobile internet experience, this seems crazy. Especially since you can access any sites on any other network.

Anyone else got a view on this?

Placidmaster here, I just kicked off big style with three telling them in most of the world the net is free and unrestricted, they offered me a 5pounds add on that I said shove it too. I threatened them how google would be a tad miffed and also I had informed BBC watchdog about it, they gave me the add on for free and loads extra met time free too. Told them that people should not have to do this and he did state three are looking into this for all. Moral of the story is, kick off politely, we all do it and they are stuffed

 

[bladesman]

Hi guys,

I've just moved back to 3uk and used to have a Nokia 6700 on paygo & didn't have credit/debit cards so used the Opera mini fix.

I now have Galaxy S on contract & a debit card but don't see why I have to pay evan 99p for proof of age when they do a credit check.

Good news is anyone with galaxy s can do the APN trick above but the galaxy s lets you set up multiple APN accounts side by side - meaning you can just switch over to 3INTERNET APN whenever 'needs arise'.

I have to agree with placid on this as I will be calling CS & threatening to cancel both my mobile & broadband Contracts unless they remove the block for good.

What gets me is there is no restrictions on the mbb ?

DICTATORS ! ! !

ps, the reason I don't just stick with the edited VPN is that for some reason I get an error message asking if I'm trying to connect via wifi when trying to access the planet 3 app.