Vodacom Adult Blocker

[AndiR]

I don't know who else is getting this, but I think it is really f'n stupid. I just wrote them this mail (on their web site, I suppose I could have written it on toilet paper and flushed it and it would have had a better audience).

If anyone wants some good porn, according to Vodacom, visit www.dell.com and talk.google.com[url] using your 3G ..., the sites include [url]http:///www.dell.com - apparently one has to be older than 18 to look at laptops. Another one is http://talk.google.com - seriously, if I have a google account, please let me access their google talk!!!

Here's the real joke: I noticed this happening on Friday, so I phoned Vodacom. They said it is data related, so I phoned Vodacom Data Services. I was then sent to my Service Provider, (Nashua), who said they have no idea what I am talking about, never heard of the adult content block. I phoned Vodacom once again, they insisted that I had to go to Nashua. I went back to Nashua and made them phone Vodacom. After being sent from pillar to post, they eventually got hold of a guy at Nashua that has access to Vodacom network services, and he assured me that he had lifted the Adult Content Block. Nope, Monday, still there!

At least I was able to leave a message here, vodacom.co.za is not considered an adult site. Whether somebody will read this and be able to do something about this is another story...

Kind regards,
Andi[/I]

 

[Ockie]

Unfortunately your service provider needs to lift it from their side. For Vodacom SP clients, you need to go into a Vodashop with your ID as proof of your age (18 or older) for them to remove the block. The block however is not automatic....you need to reguest the block to be loaded onto your or your childrens lines.

 

[kingrob]

Dell has the Alienware range of notebooks and desktops - it's computer hardware sex, so I can understand if a notice pops up.

 

[AndiR]

Hi OC, thanks for clearing that up...

Great, then why does my service provider not know what I'm talking about, and who was so kind to request it to be activated on my line? This happened automatically, out of the blue, last Monday.

I've RICA'd with my ID, the Debit order is in my name, the account gets sent to my home address, the house that I own - I refuse to prove to anyone that I am older than 18, let alone going into a branch to do so. I do not have any children (that I know of) either, so it's not been loaded on the wrong SIM by mistake.

Anyway, off to the call center and then to hellopeter.com

Thanks!
Andi

 

[AndiR]

OK, I agree, some people do get aroused more by Dells than some boring blue movies

 

[CORY]

FWIW my daughter was working on the Carnival cruise line in the USA and mother was tearful she never emailed her. She swore she did, and got tearful too (its a mother and daughter thing!) i got her emails OK, so took it up with yodacom, and it turns out carnival.com was perceived as an adult site and blocked. The block was lifted and mother got 27 emails all in one go.
You should have seen the tears then!

 

[LazyLion]

Vodacom also blocked me for no reason a few years ago... despite the fact that I was 38 years old, and had not requested the block in the first place... they still made me go through all the regular procedures of writing a physical letter and providing proof of age (I was on a conference at the time). Took them numerous phone calls and 48 hours later to lift the block, by then the conference was over and I didn't need to use the 3G connection anymore.

 

[BradleyC]

Web Site blocked that has no adult content - But competes with Vodacom

So I'm a website administrator and have discovered that vodacom have blocked my website www.3gmobile.co.za and all subdomains on it As unsuitable content. I can assure we do not have adult content. We are a cell phone distribution company with branches throughout Africa

We also have an online store that competes with Vodacom if your looking to buy a cell phone or tablet online. In fact we shame them on pricing. Being Samsung biggest distributor in Africa we are certainly not small players in the cell phone industry. We sell genuine ICASA certified handsets that are open to any network.

So my question is this. Why has our website been deemed adult content. (is it because we compete with vodacom)? Secondly who do we contact to have this block removed. I have sent email to every email address I can possibly find for Vodacom and still no luck. Anyone have some contact details? please post on this thread.

Your sincerely
Rather pissed of Website administrator

I don't know who else is getting this, but I think it is really f'n stupid. I just wrote them this mail (on their web site, I suppose I could have written it on toilet paper and flushed it and it would have had a better audience).

If anyone wants some good porn, according to Vodacom, visit www.dell.com and talk.google.com[url] using your 3G ..., the sites include [url]http:///www.dell.com - apparently one has to be older than 18 to look at laptops. Another one is http://talk.google.com - seriously, if I have a google account, please let me access their google talk!!!

Here's the real joke: I noticed this happening on Friday, so I phoned Vodacom. They said it is data related, so I phoned Vodacom Data Services. I was then sent to my Service Provider, (Nashua), who said they have no idea what I am talking about, never heard of the adult content block. I phoned Vodacom once again, they insisted that I had to go to Nashua. I went back to Nashua and made them phone Vodacom. After being sent from pillar to post, they eventually got hold of a guy at Nashua that has access to Vodacom network services, and he assured me that he had lifted the Adult Content Block. Nope, Monday, still there!

At least I was able to leave a message here, vodacom.co.za is not considered an adult site. Whether somebody will read this and be able to do something about this is another story...

Kind regards,
Andi[/I]