New York internet kiosks go offline after too many people use them for porn

New York's Wi-Fi kiosks seemed like a great idea at the time.

When they were introduced in February this year, they aimed to provide crucial power and internet facilities to visitors and residents. Phone charging, weather reports, and maps to help users get from A to B in a sometimes baffling metropolis.

The problem is, users -- as they so often do -- had other ideas. They wanted to watch porn. Or catch up on Netflix. Or generally hang out, annoying local residents and businesses.

In fact, the kiosks have been so popular with loiterers and the lascivious that their operator, LinkNYC network, has said it's shutting off web browsing on the built-in tablets.

Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced plans for the 7,500 kiosk network across the five boroughs as an attempt to "bridge the digital divide."

They promised Wi-Fi spanning a 150-foot radius, free domestic calls, two USB charging ports, a 911 button and a tablet for accessing the internet, and were designed to replace old school phone booths.

“LinkNYC brings us a couple steps closer to our goal of leveling the playing field and providing every New Yorker with access to the most important tool of the 21st century,” de Blasio said at the time.

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They haven't quite worked out as planned. City councilman Corey Johnson, who's responsible for Greenwich Village, Chelsea and some of Midtown, was among those voicing complaints. He said he'd seen people watching porn in them with children nearby, according the the New York Times.

“These kiosks are often monopolized by individuals creating personal spaces for themselves, engaging in activities that include playing loud explicit music, consuming drugs and alcohol, and the viewing of pornography,” he said in a letter to LinkNYC.

LinkNYC said in a statement Wednesday that with 400 Links installed, the company has seen "lots of curiosity and excitement, and also some unexpected challenges that we need to address, as you’d expect with any project this bold."

"The kiosks were never intended for anyone’s extended, personal use," it adds, noting that web browsing will be removed from the kiosk's tablets while it "works to explore potential solutions, like time limits."

Free phone calls, maps, device charging, 311 and 911 access and the Wi-Fi will remain unchanged. The company also points out that it's made other adjustments following feedback, including dimming the display light and limiting volume at night.