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Starbucks Agrees to Block Pornography on WiFi in All Stores

Starbucks Agrees to Block Pornography on WiFi in All Stores

By Tess Farrand, Staff Writer

Many consumers frequent Starbucks for not only a hot cup of coffee, but also the free Wi-Fi. When coffee corporation opened its doors to the public in 1971, the landscape was very different with the internet not a factor in the slightest. Flash forward forty years and Starbucks’ signature atmospheric feel and free Wi-Fi has spread worldwide but also peaks a point of interest for one organization that plans on keeping them accountable.

Enough is Enough, a nonprofit organization which is “dedicated to continue raising public awareness about the dangers of Internet pornography, sexual predators, other dangers,” spearheaded the charge to censor Wi-Fi in the globally popular coffee chain. In years past, they urged Chick-Fil-A and McDonalds to implicit stricter Wi-Fi policies to combat the evils of explicit images. Their attempt proved fruitful and now these popular chains all have certain blockers that deny access to graphic content while using their Wi-Fi amenity.

The revamped petition against Starbucks comes in part from passive action to restrict pornography on the coffee company’s part. In 2016, Starbucks told CNN that they would take the porn/Wi-Fi issue more seriously but failed to deliver on their promise according to Enough is Enough. A portion of their revised petition against Starbucks’ police states, “By breaking its commitment Starbucks is keeping the doors wide open for convicted sex offenders and patrons to fly under the radar from law enforcement and use free, public WiFi services to view or distribute graphics or obscene pornography, child pornography (an illegal crime), or engage in sexual predation activity.”

While Starbucks never allowed customers to view “illegal or egregious content” on their Wi-Fi, people still disregard that standard because there are no content blockers in place to censor images. As of Friday, November 30th, Enough is Enough is over halfway to their goal of 50,000 signatures for their petition and with the public’s attention, Starbucks is under scrutiny. Donna Hughes, CEO of Enough is Enough points out, “People sit there for hours using the internet,” Hughes said. “They’re known for this. Let’s make it safe and secure.”

Going forward, Starbucks unveiled that in 2019, a better solution for Wi-Fi censoring will be implemented across their chain coffee shops but doesn’t go into detail about how exactly this will play out.

Movieguide® frequently reports on the dangers of porn, so it’s refreshing to see that a global corporation is taking its effects seriously.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.