Pret A Manger unblocks access to LGBT sites on in-store wifi
Pret A Manger has unblocked access to LGBT websites on its in-store wifi.
Branches of sandwich giant Pret A Manger had been blocking access to sites like PinkNews over “mature” content rules.
But the sandwich chain has now said it was not aware that sites like PinkNews were being blocked and has removed a number of unnecessary categories.
Chris Bromley posted on the Pret A Manger Facebook page saying he had been trying to access LGBT content in the St Martins Lane branch of the store.
But he said he was blocked from accessing sites like PinkNews over “mature” content rules on the in-store wifi, provided by Pret through third-party wifi provider Crowd Wifi.
A number of other companies including Oxfam, Scotrail and University College Hospital have in the past unblocked access to PinkNews after realising that it was blocked as “mature” content.
Firewall providers Symantec and Norton back in 2014 unblocked access to sites based on “sexual orientation” and removed the category from their blocked lists.
Pret A Manger has responded to say that it has reviewed its entire wifi policy and has removed a number of unnecessary categories.
Pret’s Brand Director, Caroline Cromar said: “Thanks to PinkNews and our customers contacting us, we were made aware that our new wifi provider had been set up to filter out too many sites.
“I’m pleased to confirm that PinkNews and other LGBT sites can now be accessed again via Pret’s wifi. We would never wish to discriminate against any group of customers and we’re sorry for any upset this issue has caused.”
