Changes

Later on in the 1990s, Usenet "binary groups" were created. Unlike the traditional "text groups", these groups (usually under the alt.* hierarchy and having names beginning with alt.binaries.*) were used for the exchange of files. This led to abuse with regards to [[piracy]].

Later on in the 1990s, Usenet "binary groups" were created. Unlike the traditional "text groups", these groups (usually under the alt.* hierarchy and having names beginning with alt.binaries.*) were used for the exchange of files. This led to abuse with regards to [[piracy]].

In a 2008 investigation by New York's then-Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]], it was discovered that some of these groups contained [[child pornography]]. At the time, Usenet service was usually offered as a benefit included with ISPs. Fearing liability over this as well as ongoing copyright infringement in other binaries groups, ISPs began to remove the alt.* hierarchy from their servers, restrict the amount of groups to the Big 8 hierarchies, or cut the benefit altogether.<ref>http://techcrunch.com/2008/07/12/more-ny-isps-agree-to-cut-off-usenet-access-in-response-to-pressure-from-attorney-general/</ref><ref>http://techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/the-news-of-usenets-death-has-been-greatly-exaggerated/</ref>

In a 2008 investigation by New York's then-Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]], it was discovered that some of these groups contained [[child pornography]]. At the time, Usenet service was usually offered as a benefit included with ISPs. Fearing liability over this as well as ongoing copyright infringement in other binaries groups, ISPs began to remove the alt.* hierarchy from their servers, restrict the amount of groups to the Big 8 hierarchies, or cut the benefit altogether.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2008/07/12/more-ny-isps-agree-to-cut-off-usenet-access-in-response-to-pressure-from-attorney-general/</ref><ref>https://techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/the-news-of-usenets-death-has-been-greatly-exaggerated/</ref>

==Newsgroups today==

==Newsgroups today==

* [http://groups.google.com/ Google Groups] Web interface to Usenet, also contains posts backdated through the early 1980s

* [http://groups.google.com/ Google Groups] Web interface to Usenet, also contains posts backdated through the early 1980s

* [http://www.eternal-september.org/ Eternal September] Free NNTP-based Usenet service providing text groups

* [http://www.eternal-september.org/ Eternal September] Free NNTP-based Usenet service providing text groups

* [http://techcrunch.com/2008/07/12/more-ny-isps-agree-to-cut-off-usenet-access-in-response-to-pressure-from-attorney-general/ ISPs cutting benefits]

* [https://techcrunch.com/2008/07/12/more-ny-isps-agree-to-cut-off-usenet-access-in-response-to-pressure-from-attorney-general/ ISPs cutting benefits]

* [http://www.giganews.com/blog/2008/09/clearing-air-usenet-abuse-eliminating.html Analysis of child porn claims] Press release from provider Giganews

* [http://www.giganews.com/blog/2008/09/clearing-air-usenet-abuse-eliminating.html Analysis of child porn claims] Press release from provider Giganews