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Censoring Text Messages?


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Old 06-02-2003, 20:08
David McH
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Not really sure if this is in the right forum but here goes:

Tonight while browsing a site with funny sms messages I found a rather funny but admittedly sick text about a recent event in America. I typed it in to my phone and sent it to 3 friends on different networks and it came up blank on all three so I tried sending it to myself and again it was blank. I sent another test message and it was fine so it cant be a problem with my phone.

So I was wondering is it possible for the mobile networks to censor text messages and should they be allowed to do this? I am on Virgin network btw.
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Old 06-02-2003, 20:38
Quackers
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Never heard of anything like this.... very strange.
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Old 06-02-2003, 22:03
Tumble weed
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Maybe its got something (alot) to do with the recent event in America.
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Old 12-02-2003, 15:12
craigbaxter
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It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they were blocking text messages about that. It's probably no different to sending e-mails and such - if you use certain words (such as ones in reference to those events) and it sets off automated "alarm bells" and the message is checked and (in terms of texts) is probably blocked??

Dont know - just my guess?

Craig
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Old 12-02-2003, 16:04
Quackers
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Did you get charged for it?
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Old 13-02-2003, 15:23
Dave RJR
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and who said there was free speech in this country
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Old 13-02-2003, 15:37
Alex Duggan
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Originally posted by Dave RJR
and who said there was free speech in this country
There is, but when you are using someone elses equipment to send things across their network, and they are the ones that are actually passing the messages to others (the phone netowkr in this case) they have a perfect right to protect themeselves from any action that may result from them transmitting these mesages.
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Old 13-02-2003, 15:47
castle
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I see your point

(Insert far fetched mode)

Take the argument and say if I write something on a pad of paper. Should the manufacturer sensor this?

Or what about the Royal mail?


murray
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Old 13-02-2003, 16:24
Elstoon
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It would be illegal to block text messages UNLESS it states in your contract that the service provider is allowed to do it... check your contract and find out!!

Also - if they are reading your texts (even automatically for certain words) then they are breaching your right to privacy and unless you have agreed to this you could take action - again it will be mentioned in your contract.

Same rules apply to email.
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Old 13-02-2003, 22:28
David McH
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Originally posted by ripsaw82
Did you get charged for it?
Yes I was charged for sending the message. The stranger thing is I removed the word *NEWSFLASH* from the start of the text and it sent ok. Wierd
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Old 14-02-2003, 11:30
TheCableGuy
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Originally posted by David McH
The stranger thing is I removed the word *NEWSFLASH* from the start of the text and it sent ok. Wierd
Probably the phone companies way of stopping junk text messages. Put it this way, you dont usually start a message to a mate with the word "*NEWSFLASH*" so the phone comany may have a blocking rule for anything that could be abusing the service (sending junk texts.)
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Old 14-02-2003, 11:58
Simo999
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Doesnt the word NEWSFLASH activate some phones to make the message Flash. Phones that are unable to use this "Flash" feature may just display nothing?

Think you are complicating it to much by saying they are blocked.
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Old 14-02-2003, 12:13
TheCableGuy
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Originally posted by Simo999
Doesnt the word NEWSFLASH activate some phones to make the message Flash. Phones that are unable to use this "Flash" feature may just display nothing?

Think you are complicating it to much by saying they are blocked.
Ah you could br right there. But i thought the code is something like /flash/ . I havent been around GSM forums for a while so im not sure.
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Old 14-02-2003, 12:18
Simo999
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Just seems strange that as soon as you remove the word NEWSFLASH the message works. Thats what promted my guess.

But im not sure what the exact command is.
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Old 14-02-2003, 16:40
Quackers
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I remember when i hooked up my Nokia 5110 upto Data suit there was a "Newsflash" option, and it made the phone at the other end have the message on screen when sent, they did not have to select "read"
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Old 15-02-2003, 21:05
badboyracer
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its because your using a nokia and are obviously sending it to someone with a motorola/samsung/ericsson/sony...ect flashing text is only known to work on nokias well it was made for it.
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