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There was a small community in South Africa that used to connect to the Internet around that time by dialing into X.25-connected modems. These seemed to be owned by banks or insurance companies, and would allow break-outs to US modems that allowed local calling to ISPs. The information about the numbers and credentials were shared on local BBSs.

Source: was personally involved

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I agree. I used to do the same from France. Got me a a HELL of a lot of trouble in fact, as I've racked up a huge X25 bill with one company, and accidentally registered under my real name to a texan BBS that was later involved in the Hacker's Crackdown.

Also, on the note of 'porn online in the late 80's' is probably impossible, as there were no digital cameras, no scanners to speak of, and the only 'porn' you'd have found would have been rare, and very, very data intensive for the days. I know. :-)

And /most/ countries police forces had absolutely no clue whatsoever about 'online', 'computers', 'modems', 'internet' and 'keyboards'. I know the french didn't!

Those were the days, etc etc :-)

He could have been selling actual magazines and tapes, rather than digital files. As I'm sure you remember, snail mail orders were part and parcel of the BBS world for all sorts of things.

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