Will censorship come after f95 too??

[Molvaeth]

Fucking christ man... Can we enjoy anything at all? Everyone is offended by everything. You can't have anyone even open their mouths to say a thing because someone will take it personal.

As Friedrich Schiller put it 200 years ago: "Es kann der Frömmste nicht in Frieden leben, wenn's dem Nächsten nicht gefällt."

"The most pious person cannot live in peace if the neighbour doesn't like it."

 

[Whitebama]

Btw how tf they have so much leverage over payment processors is baffling to me...
And also the fact that those scummy processors suddenly care about what people spend their own money on

Very simple... Lobbying.
From an article I read, it said that Collective Shout "learned how to influence and force payment processors".

 

[Geralt From Rivia]

somebody even called them here

View attachment 5076108

Reddit should be nuked

 

[anne O'nymous]

A lot of things, ranging from harassing the hosting company to dox Sam or F95 themselves and make a fuss to have them arrested over bogus charges.

Do you even know in what country the servers are hosted?
I'm asking because the IP address for f95zone.to point to DDoS-Guard network, not to the host network.

Ultimately, they can even ask the RIPE NCC or whatever the pertinent internet registry might be to ban the site over faux illegal pornography complaints.

Internet Numbers registries are only in charge of the IP addresses attribution. They can't decide that "this set of IP addresses" are not anymore attributed to a given website. Not just because the attributions apply to full netblocks, but also because it's not their role to attribute an IP address to a website. They attribute them to a service provider (hosting center, access provider, cable/fiber operator, etc.), and that's all.

This happened to a well-known art blog a couple of years ago,

A blog, blocked by an Internet Numbers registry... You'll have to provide source for this claim... And a better source than this stupidity [link removed on demand]:
"Our host interpreted that as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, and tried repeatedly to counter them by special computer interventions. Finally, it appears that the “Canadian Centre for Child Protection” (CCCP) had reported images from Pigtails in Paint as “child pornography,” so RIPE NCC (Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre) blocked the server."

If the server was blocked, how can it be under a DDoS attack?

Those two claims are contradictory. A blocking, especially at IP address level, imply that the server is not reachable, while a DDoS need that the server is reachable.
And, obviously, if the server is not reachable, then there's no incoming traffic. Therefore the host can not interpret it in any other way than a routing issue or a blocking at root DNS level.

These people, the IWF and the fundies, spent almost a decade persecuting this blog (which, btw, was hosted on Blogger, that should give you a hint of how tame its content actually was), until they succeeded in their complaint to the RIPE NCC.

1. Blogger use shared hosting for its blogs. A single set of servers, behind an unique IP address, host way more than one blog;
2. If RIPE had blocked the IP address (what they can't do) it would have blocked hundreds of blogs;
3. If Blogger had hundreds of blogs blocked, they would have sued the responsible;
4. If hundreds of blogs hosted by Blogger were blocker, hundreds of people would have been in position to sue the responsible;
5. Blogger's IP addresses are managed by ARIN, not by RIPE.

 

[Darth Vengeant]

This is not a payment centric site. It is essentially a free forums. So, this agenda driven censorship propagated by Collective Shout and other dipshit groups will have no effect here. Thank the gods. If you really want to do something, speak out against Collective Shout, and even Sweet Baby Inc. You can look them up on X and see for yourself the absolute bullshit they are doing. You can also throw your support in for developers being effected by this recent garbage, such as the devs for No Mercy.

 

[Caprine2fine]

They've already proven to us that they can and will. Loli is banned, it doesn't really matter what your stance on it is.
If the can censor it here they can and will give into banning anything else they are told to

 

[gingisep]

If the server was blocked, how can it be under a DDoS attack?

Those two claims are contradictory. A blocking, especially at IP address level, imply that the server is not reachable, while a DDoS need that the server is reachable.
And, obviously, if the server is not reachable, then there's no incoming traffic. Therefore the host can not interpret it in any other way than a routing issue or a blocking at root DNS level.

Well, having a server de-listed in DNS only partially blocks the traffic. A DDoS attack can still be performed if you know the IP address and skip DNS completely.

 curl -H "Host: f95zone.to" "https://190.115.31.182:443/" -vvv -k -out /dev/null
  % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current
                                 Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
  0     0    0     0    0     0      0      0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:--     0*   Trying 190.115.31.182:443...
* Connected to 190.115.31.182 (190.115.31.182) port 443
* ALPN: curl offers h2,http/1.1
} [5 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (OUT), TLS handshake, Client hello (1):
} [512 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (IN), TLS handshake, Server hello (2):
{ [122 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (IN), TLS handshake, Encrypted Extensions (8):
{ [15 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (IN), TLS handshake, Certificate (11):
{ [745 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (IN), TLS handshake, CERT verify (15):
{ [264 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (IN), TLS handshake, Finished (20):
{ [36 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (OUT), TLS change cipher, Change cipher spec (1):
} [1 bytes data]
* TLSv1.3 (OUT), TLS handshake, Finished (20):
} [36 bytes data]
* SSL connection using TLSv1.3 / TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256 / X25519 / RSASSA-PSS
* ALPN: server accepted h2
* Server certificate:
*  subject: C=EU; ST=*; O=ddos-guard
*  start date: Mar 28 19:26:13 2018 GMT
*  expire date: Mar 25 19:26:13 2028 GMT
*  issuer: C=EU; ST=*; O=ddos-guard
*  SSL certificate verify result: self-signed certificate (18), continuing anyway.
*   Certificate level 0: Public key type RSA (2048/112 Bits/secBits), signed using sha256WithRSAEncryption
} [5 bytes data]
* using HTTP/2
* [HTTP/2] [1] OPENED stream for https://190.115.31.182:443/

 

[anne O'nymous]

Well, having a server de-listed in DNS only partially blocks the traffic. A DDoS attack can still be performed if you know the IP address and skip DNS completely.

Of course, but RIPE isn't in charge of the root DNS, nor did it have power over them.

But anyway, what is the interest to DDoS a site if you already succeeded at having it removed from the root DNS?
You're taking a risk since you're performing an illegal action and can possibly be uncovered if there's investigation related to this. All this for nothing since your legal action already provided the result you wanted to reach.

 

[gingisep]

But anyway, what is the interest to DDoS a site if you already succeeded at having it removed from the root DNS?

"root" DNS only covers for TLD ( .to ) part of domain names, usually.
There are local government obligations to censor a list of domains, for the most disparate reasons, on your internet provider central DNS.
Anyway, unless you're in a regime situation, it's not illegal to change your own DNS provider, AND it's not supposed to be illegal to build your own DNS resolver and keep a database for yourself.

ALSO it's virtually impossible to censor websites on a DNS provider that uses

You must be registered to see the links

, to the point that I detected a few public WiFi refusing the configuration on mobile phones for legal reasons (wifi provider don't want to be responsible).

The next steps circumventing censorship is to pass through TOR network or other network protocols that supports full encryption and privacy.
We have the mean, and many have the skills and the knowledge required, in fact I think in worst case scenario we'll only grow smaller networks of niche content that will be more insular.

 

[anne O'nymous]

"root" DNS only covers for TLD ( .to ) part of domain names, usually.

Yeah, but right now I don't remember the English name for the DNS in charge of a given tld, so I used a, subtle, shortcut
I'll stick to tld DNS until I remember it.

Anyway, unless you're in a regime situation, it's not illegal to change your own DNS provider, AND it's not supposed to be illegal to build your own DNS resolver and keep a database for yourself.

And you can also build your own DNS server. But if the ns01.trs-dns.[com|net|org|info] (tonga tld DNS, since I don't remember what tld was used by the blocked blog) removed the domain, it will be useless. At least unless you rely on your own DNS resolver or server and configured it to have an infinite retention time.

ALSO it's virtually impossible to censor websites on a DNS provider that uses

You must be registered to see the links

, [...]

What is still useless if the tld DNS removed the entry.
Legally speaking, they can only do it on justice order, and VeriSign mid 10's attempt to divert none assigned domains to their own registar shown that going rogue when you own a root DNS don't go well. But there's no guaranty that the same outcry would happen if it's a tld DNS that do it. Unlike root DNS, they are more bound to a country, and therefore a given jurisdiction.
For Tonga I know that it's safe, they have strong view regarding Net Neutrality (it's a poor island that earn tons of sweet money thanks to that). Same for generic tld (com, net, etc.). But country tld it's something else.

The next steps circumventing censorship is to pass through TOR network or other network protocols that supports full encryption and privacy.

And the next step of censorship would be to strike at CDN level.
You can bypass the tld DNS removal by editing you hosts file, and they can target the CDN to drop queries for the domain.
It would still keep the server available directly through its IP address, but without the useful layer that is the CDN.

 

[wicked-green-eyes]

I don't know much about how F95 manages itself, but I imagine the main cause for concern is not payment processors, since F95 only takes donations via cryptocurrency. Unless the payment processors find the admin(s) for the site and cut them off as individuals, they shouldn't have much power here. Though I don't know how the money from advertisements gets paid out, so maybe that could be a chokepoint.

I'm more concerned recently about F95 blocking, IPs from certain regions. Or, rather, not blocking them and getting smacked for it.

To my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong), F95, as a pirate site, is primarily able to stay up because all copyrighted content is hosted offsite.

But many US states now demand age verification for NSFW content, and F95 does host NSFW media (like game screenshots, but even just the text discussing the games might count).

I know some places (Germany) have long required age verification for NSFW content, but now it's in the US, and the creator of this site is American, right? So these new rules might make F95 a possible target for American prosecutors if relevant US states are not regionblocked (or if F95Zone adds an age verification process, which uh seems doubtful).

On a side note, I wish there were a way to easily download F95Zone without scraping it (like how you can download Wikipedia). Just the raw plaintext of threads, at least, maybe with usernames hashed or swapped for random IDs. I feel like there's a fair amount of valuable and unique discussion sometimes in the forum. It would be a cultural and historical loss IMO if the site got taken down one day and no data hoarders around the world were retaining backups.

 

[Reaper9988]

And do what now ? Pressure F95Zones Payment Processor ?

 

[ball-drainer]

Steam and Itch are store fronts, that rely on payment processors to exist. AFAIK, F95 isn't selling anything directly.

 

[Reaper9988]

I don't know much about how F95 manages itself, but I imagine the main cause for concern is not payment processors, since F95 only takes donations via cryptocurrency. Unless the payment processors find the admin(s) for the site and cut them off as individuals, they shouldn't have much power here. Though I don't know how the money from advertisements gets paid out, so maybe that could be a chokepoint.

I'm more concerned recently about F95 blocking, IPs from certain regions. Or, rather, not blocking them and getting smacked for it.

To my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong), F95, as a pirate site, is primarily able to stay up because all copyrighted content is hosted offsite.

But many US states now demand age verification for NSFW content, and F95 does host NSFW media (like game screenshots, but even just the text discussing the games might count).

I know some places (Germany) have long required age verification for NSFW content, but now it's in the US, and the creator of this site is American, right? So these new rules might make F95 a possible target for American prosecutors if relevant US states are not regionblocked (or if F95Zone adds an age verification process, which uh seems doubtful).

On a side note, I wish there were a way to easily download F95Zone without scraping it (like how you can download Wikipedia). Just the raw plaintext of threads, at least, maybe with usernames hashed or swapped for random IDs. I feel like there's a fair amount of valuable and unique discussion sometimes in the forum. It would be a cultural and historical loss IMO if the site got taken down one day and no data hoarders around the world were retaining backups.

I would think there is a reason the site is registered to .to not .com

 

[anne O'nymous]

[...] and the creator of this site is American, right?

There's absolutely no cue lending to this.

The only thing we know is that he like Deadpool and possibly support Dusseldorf's football club. But, as demonstrated not long ago, the last one absolutely don't narrow the research.

 

[Lerd0]

There's absolutely no cue lending to this.

The only thing we know is that he like Deadpool and possibly support Dusseldorf's football club. But, as demonstrated not long ago, the last one absolutely don't narrow the research.

...sam's a florida man.....i seen him fight a alligator once.......

 

[anne O'nymous]

...sam's a florida man.....i seen him fight a alligator once.......
View attachment 5076954

Where's the cigar and the mustache?

 

[RPDL]

might I humbly suggest to start backing up games from here on

You must be registered to see the links

.

We already have every single game on

You must be registered to see the links

---

Regarding censorship, F95 will probably attract pressure from OFCOM in the UK, it came into effect a couple of days ago. The bill is ludicrous, so far it appears most sites are complying by just blocking the UK entirely.

 

[SinisterPortal]

We already have every single game on

You must be registered to see the links

Thanks, didn't know about it! Well Adelaide Inn isn't there. Because it was banned on f95 I guess, but good to know that all games from f95 are backed up. Btw what about translations and patches, are they backed up too?

 

[RPDL]

Thanks, didn't know about it! Well Adelaide Inn isn't there. Because it was banned on f95 I guess, but good to know that all games from f95 are backed up. Btw what about translations and patches, are they backed up too?

Correct, we don't keep games that are banned here. Also no mods (etc), we focus only on the games - specifically the windows version and the highest quality available.