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Research: Online Service Provider Assessment Project: America Online (AOL)
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The first online service provider to be surveyed by the OSPA project is America Online (AOL) and the first topic area was lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) content. Lots more work needs to be done to extend the report to other communities who may face bias, discrimination, or defamation. Help is also needed to produce a report that can be used in dialog with AOL and to keep our communities informed about AOL's policies and practices.

Volunteer / Intern

The AOL OSPA project relies heavily on volunteer and intern participation, so please consider participating in this important project.

Media Coverage

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AOL's New Filter on the Block
AOL integrates content recognition software produced by RuleSpace for website blocking using Parental Controls, Wired News, May 7, 2001
Media release: RuleSpace, May 2, 2001



Sweaty Scenes From the Life of an AOL Censor
A personal account from an employee in AOL's campaign to keep the Web safe for surburbia; though this month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled the corporation couldn't be held accountable for its customers' behavior, Village Voice, March 23, 2001

Additional Resources

AOL Boots Gay Newspaper Site
According to a newsletter for gay and lesbian press professionals, "America Online booted the Web site for Memphis-based publication THE TRIANGLE JOURNAL NEWS because of complaints about adult content on the site, a violation of AOL's terms of service. The newspaper has a new host and can be found at http://www.memphistrianglejournal.com," PressPassQ, November 17, 2000.

American Online Chairman Case and Wife Donate $8.35 Million to Private School Run by Anti-Gay Ministry
A roundup of news, controversy, and commentary about the $8.35 million donation made in 1999 by American Online chairman Stephen M. Case and his wife Jean to the anti-gay Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, includes items from Gay.com, Miami Herald, PlanetOut, GLAAD, New York Times, Philanthropy News Digest, Sun-Sentinel, Southern Voice, Bay Area Reporter, Datalounge.com, Salon.com, Industry Standard, and Bay Windows, October 18 - December 7, 2000.

Online Service Provider Assessment Project
This project provides a standard means for testing online services and determining how they treat certain types of content and constituents.

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