telecom@eecs.nwu.edu (TELECOM Moderator) (05/23/89)
Californians, not normally a prudish lot, raised so much cain with Pac Bell and the California Public Utility Commission over the subject of 'dial-a-porn', that the CPUC has given its blessings to Pac Bell's plan to segregate allegedly harmful audiotex programs on the specially reserved, blockable 900-303 exchange, for which Pac Bell will *NOT* provide billing services. The plan is intended to allow Pac Bell to disassociate itself from offensive programming while simultaneously promoting other 900 services such as sports scores and horoscope readings that are considered more legitimate. Previously, Pac Bell subscribers wishing to block any audiotex programs had to deny service to all programs. Under the new scheme, blocking will be provided free of charge for any subscribers wishing to limit access to the 900-303 prefix for sex lines; the 900-505 prefix for random conference calls; or the 900-844 prefix for the more traditional recorded messages and entertainment services. Blocking will in fact be the *default condition* for 900-303 unless the subscriber specifically requests having it turned on. Under California's revised penal code, passed last year with support from Pac Bell, 'harmful' programming is deemed as any matter which appeals to prurient interests, represents sexual conduct which is patently offensive, and lacks serious artistic and literary merit. As such, it closely resembles the federal code for obscene speech. A Pac Bell spokesman was blunt in his assessment of the matter: "Our goal is to disconnect 'dial-a-porn'. But until/unless we have the legal authority to do that, we've designed out 900 service to solve the problems some consumers have had with 976. Will this plan work? Maybe not. Several information providers, led by Sable Commuications of Los Angeles, are challenging a federal statute for 'obscene' and 'indecent' interstate programming which could well have a bearing on the California law. Sable also notes they believe it is discriminatory for Pac Bell to provide billing services for some IP's while declining to do so for others of whom they disapprove. Patrick Townson