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Triana

(22,666 posts)
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 09:32 AM Oct 2013

Why is Twitter banning/blocking http://www.americawantsnocuts.com for no damn good reason?

Seriously. Try tweeting the link in any tweet and you'll get a big ugly red box that says:

Oops! A URL in your tweet appears to link to a page that has spammy or unsafe content.


THEN, go to Google to check the site to see if it's been tagged as spamming or distributing malware and Google says it's NOT been negatively tagged and the site is OK. SO WHY IS TWITTER BLOCKING IT?

http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=http://www.americawantsnocuts.com

For those who've not seen the emails yet, this site is part of a coalition of progressive groups, led or organized by Sen. Bernie Sanders, to fight cuts in Social Security that are once again being suggested as part of some effing "Grand Bargain" with the Tealiban/GOP.

Why is Twitter blocking tweets containing the site's URL if it's safe?

44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why is Twitter banning/blocking http://www.americawantsnocuts.com for no damn good reason? (Original Post) Triana Oct 2013 OP
Probably because RW'ers have bombarded Twitter complaining....my guess... nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #1
Yes the same way left causes get suspended in paypal hootinholler Oct 2013 #10
It won't even allow fredamae Oct 2013 #2
If you search for http://americawantsnocuts.com on twitter you can find previous tweets... Triana Oct 2013 #5
I'm seeing a bunch now from fredamae Oct 2013 #8
try retweeting this one, I did: steve2470 Oct 2013 #3
That works. But click on the link in the tweet and you get something that looks like this: Triana Oct 2013 #6
yes, at least at the very bottom of the page you get the option of continuing on to the link nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #7
Try retweeting this OP. I just did and got a similar message about a 'link in the tweet' sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #17
This one works too fredamae Oct 2013 #9
try retweeting this one also: steve2470 Oct 2013 #4
I just retweeted that. Thanks n/t sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #13
yvw ! :) nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #14
They organize to report those links as spam RandiFan1290 Oct 2013 #11
So the Tealiban/RWNJs did it? Triana Oct 2013 #12
That's exactly what's going on. Chan790 Oct 2013 #26
I wonder if anyone has ever started a lawsuit against this time of thing. drm604 Oct 2013 #39
That's a shame. What if the site changed its name to get past the block? sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #42
Yes. This is old stuff and just the beginning of what they are doing RandiFan1290 Oct 2013 #35
Isn't it past time that we started using our own 'guerilla tactics' sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #43
I retweeted this OP. Thanks, it would be great to know who is doing this. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #15
retweeted it also nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #20
Okay, I tried to retweet this OP and got the message about a link in the tweet sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #16
Here's the google result clearly stating the site is NOT 'unsafe' - Just so folks can see this... Triana Oct 2013 #19
Thanks, I just tweeted the question asking why it is blocked without a link sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #21
OK I went here and tried to get the site unblocked, recommend everyone do this please steve2470 Oct 2013 #18
heh... I was just going to post that link Ohio Joe Oct 2013 #23
GMTA ! :) nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #25
Thanks, going to do so now. I also tweeted a question about it on my twitter feed. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #24
feel free to retweet my tweet: steve2470 Oct 2013 #22
I did that. But when I tried to retweet this OP I got a message saying it contained sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #27
no, I copied the link URL from DU and tweeted that link nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #28
Okay, that was clever. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #29
thanks, I have my du twitter/fb links turned off since I never use them, did it old school :) nt steve2470 Oct 2013 #31
Lol, the old way worked! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #40
my email from Twitter support steve2470 Oct 2013 #30
Tx. We need to notify Bernie Sanders' office. Triana Oct 2013 #33
Mandate Media runs the site, I am contacting them also steve2470 Oct 2013 #36
Great idea! Thanks! n/t Triana Oct 2013 #38
Amazing how billionaires suppress information, isn't it? nt valerief Oct 2013 #32
another one to retweet steve2470 Oct 2013 #34
Done - Tx. Also tweeted @SenSanders Triana Oct 2013 #37
Thanks for the links, I will do that also. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #41
Contacted Twitter. I got the following response... Chan790 Oct 2013 #44

hootinholler

(26,449 posts)
10. Yes the same way left causes get suspended in paypal
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:21 AM
Oct 2013

If they get noticed by the RWNJs tons of complaints appear. No matter they are bogus complaints, the site or account gets suspended while the review occurs.

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
5. If you search for http://americawantsnocuts.com on twitter you can find previous tweets...
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 09:56 AM
Oct 2013

...but if you click on one of the links in the tweets ie:http://americawantsnocuts.com/dailykos - you get ANOTHER scary-looking warning that the site "might be dangerous!!".

Somebody REALLY REALLY doesn't want people to visit or see that site. The form presented on the site to sign onto the petition goes to: https://takeaction.wufoo.com/forms/q10st7700ym5jna/ - (wufoo.com is a well-known form-builder site that provides the ability to easily create forms to site designers - not a spammer, etc. - visit it at http://www.wufoo.com )

SO. There is NOTHING about http://americawantsnocuts.com that is "dangerous" or "spammy" that I can discern.

But nonetheless, Somebody REALLY REALLY doesn't want people to visit or see that site.

IntereSTINK.

fredamae

(4,458 posts)
8. I'm seeing a bunch now from
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:18 AM
Oct 2013

CREDO and other petition sites flying now..but have not seen This particular link..yet
I dunno-I'm dumber than a barbwire fence when it comes to "puters" & how this all works
I'm just happy to see these petitions out there in Twitter World...

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
6. That works. But click on the link in the tweet and you get something that looks like this:
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:02 AM
Oct 2013


From what I can gather about the simple one-page site with a form on it, it is none of what Twitter claims it is.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
17. Try retweeting this OP. I just did and got a similar message about a 'link in the tweet'
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:56 AM
Oct 2013

possibly being spam.

Now I'm going to tweet that they are blocking the site. I hope everyone does.

RandiFan1290

(6,239 posts)
11. They organize to report those links as spam
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:23 AM
Oct 2013

They do the same on Facebook if you try to correct them. They report you as spam and enough reports gets you blocked.

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
12. So the Tealiban/RWNJs did it?
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:27 AM
Oct 2013

Because they hate SS and want to see it done away with (yaknow "soshulism" and all that)

Have to wonder if Pete Peterson/Kochs and their Tealiban outfits hire scum to report progressive links as "spam" to keep campaigns like this from working. No doubt I guess.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
26. That's exactly what's going on.
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:11 AM
Oct 2013

Welcome to the wonderful world of human-free review. The URL has been mass reported as a phishing site by paid operatives and unpaid operatives to Twitter and the only way it will ever be linkable is if we all raise enough of a stink that Twitter notices and sends someone to physically review the site...in 2-8 weeks. (They have few people tasked with this and a long rolling list of sites to review)

Now, because Twitter reports its reported phishing sites to net-watchdog groups and other major websites like Google and Yahoo...you can expect the link to be flagged at them in the coming days too, as well as blocked by ISPs and AV/AS software. Part of a wide-ranging internet policy for major providers to keep their sites safe for users by sharing "malicious user/site" data.

drm604

(16,230 posts)
39. I wonder if anyone has ever started a lawsuit against this time of thing.
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 12:02 PM
Oct 2013

It seems like knowingly and intentionally falsely reporting a site as phishing should be actionable in some way. Surely some of the flaggers are identifiable.

Can the owners of the site sue Twitter itself for defamation, considering that they're flagging the site with no review?

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
42. That's a shame. What if the site changed its name to get past the block?
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 03:48 PM
Oct 2013

Maybe all sites like this that are likely to be attacked, should be prepared for these kinds of tactics.

Or could someone else mirror the site? There has to be a way to foil these morons.

I reported it but as you say they win once the get the block.

I hope the site itself knows about this.

They should have a lawyer contact Twitter to let them know what is going on. And couldn't they find out who is behind this? Expose them.

RandiFan1290

(6,239 posts)
35. Yes. This is old stuff and just the beginning of what they are doing
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:44 AM
Oct 2013
BUSTED! Catching Tea Partiers being trained in Guerilla Internet Tactics.
From the film (Astro) Turf Wars: How Corporate America Is Faking A Grassroots Revolution
www.astroturfwars.com
This clip shows Austin James of American Majority training tea party activists on guerrilla internet tactics to "control the online dialogue". The footage was shot at the 2009 American Liberty Tour, run by a group of libertarian groups tied to real-estate mogul and Koch associate Howie Rich. The clip is taken from a section of the film showing how libertarian/free-market groups are recruiting tea party protestors into their cause.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
43. Isn't it past time that we started using our own 'guerilla tactics'
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 03:52 PM
Oct 2013

Why is it always the bad guys who do this?

Maybe we should be on the offensive, we know who the bad guys are, rather than always on the defensive.

As for this, I asked about because I don't know, but is it possible for the site to change it's name, or to have several domain links all leading to the site, making it necessary for the cowards to keep on doing it but never succeeding in shutting it down?

I don't know, but I wonder if they could be sued for this.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
16. Okay, I tried to retweet this OP and got the message about a link in the tweet
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 10:54 AM
Oct 2013

possibly being Spam.

I wonder if the site knows it is being blocked?

And thanks for pointing out it is not listed on Google as an unsafe site.

 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
19. Here's the google result clearly stating the site is NOT 'unsafe' - Just so folks can see this...
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:01 AM
Oct 2013

....

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
21. Thanks, I just tweeted the question asking why it is blocked without a link
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:07 AM
Oct 2013

I'll tweet a link to this also and hopefully before the end of the day everyone will do so. It would be great if the attempt to block it got them even more hits and followers.

Thanks, going to tweet that now.

Ohio Joe

(21,760 posts)
23. heh... I was just going to post that link
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:10 AM
Oct 2013

Google does not see the link as harmful but twitter still does so I put in the ticket.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
24. Thanks, going to do so now. I also tweeted a question about it on my twitter feed.
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:10 AM
Oct 2013

I hope thousands of people do so now and the attempt to block them gets the opposite result of what they intended. Tens of thousands of people who didn't even know about the site, now will.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
27. I did that. But when I tried to retweet this OP I got a message saying it contained
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:13 AM
Oct 2013

a possibly dangerous link. Did you just retweet directly from the OP?

steve2470

(37,457 posts)
30. my email from Twitter support
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:25 AM
Oct 2013


eta: ugh you can barely read that

Hello,

Twitter has systems that blocks the posting of suspected harmful URLs in order to make Twitter safer and more secure for our users. If you see a warning about malware or spam when attempting to send a Tweet with a URL, this means the URL may have been flagged by our systems as potentially harmful.

If you manage the domain of the reported URL, please take the following actions:

• Check to see if the URL is a suspected malware or phishing site; you can view Google's diagnostic report of the URL by visiting this link: http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=http://example.com (replacing "http://example.com" with the URL that is blocked)
• If your website is showing up as a malware threat, you'll need to clean up any outstanding malware threats before your URL will be un-flagged. You can find out more information on how to clean your site of malware threats at Google's Resources for Websites and Site Owners: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/163633?rd=1

Even if Google's diagnostic report of the URL is clean, we may decide to continue blocking the URL on Twitter as potentially harmful. If the URL of the site you manage is being blocked and you are sure that your site is not being used for abuse on Twitter, reply to this email to let us know. Please make sure you cannot Tweet your URL before responding to this message.

Thanks,

Twitter Support
http://support.twitter.com
@Support
 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
33. Tx. We need to notify Bernie Sanders' office.
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:40 AM
Oct 2013

They'd know who manages the site (I don't know and WhoIs/DNS registration info is private). That's who needs to contact Twitter about this bullshit - the site owner(s).



 

Triana

(22,666 posts)
37. Done - Tx. Also tweeted @SenSanders
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 11:52 AM
Oct 2013

@SenSanders - Twitter has http://www.americawantsnocuts. com site flagged as 'malicious' or 'spam' for no reason. We can't tweet the link!

(note I placed a space between the . and com in my tweet so Twitter wouldn't give me that stupid red error message).

Perhaps if some attentive aides who manage Bernie Sanders' twitter feed see enough of such tweets, they'll contact the http://www.americawantsnocuts.com site owners and have them contact twitter.


 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
44. Contacted Twitter. I got the following response...
Sun Oct 27, 2013, 05:02 PM
Oct 2013

if someone who has been in contact with the webmasters or owners of "America Wants No Cuts" today can forward it to them, it details how to get unblocked.

Hello,

Twitter has systems that blocks the posting of suspected harmful URLs in order to make Twitter safer and more secure for our users. If you see a warning about malware or spam when attempting to send a Tweet with a URL, this means the URL may have been flagged by our systems as potentially harmful.

If you manage the domain of the reported URL, please take the following actions:

• Check to see if the URL is a suspected malware or phishing site; you can view Google's diagnostic report of the URL by visiting this link: http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=http://example.com (replacing "http://example.com" with the URL that is blocked)
• If your website is showing up as a malware threat, you'll need to clean up any outstanding malware threats before your URL will be un-flagged. You can find out more information on how to clean your site of malware threats at Google's Resources for Websites and Site Owners: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/163633?rd=1

Even if Google's diagnostic report of the URL is clean, we may decide to continue blocking the URL on Twitter as potentially harmful. If the URL of the site you manage is being blocked and you are sure that your site is not being used for abuse on Twitter, reply to this email to let us know. Please make sure you cannot Tweet your URL before responding to this message.

Thanks,

Twitter Support
http://support.twitter.com
@Support
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