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Comment by i_am_nomad | Hacker News Reader

This kind of thing makes me want to start a small independent ISP that automatically blocks trackers, a la Pi-Hole, unless the customer specifically opts in for them. Though, I’m not sure if there are legal hurdles in the US for doing this.

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I was interested in Pi-Hole, but didn't really want to modify my existing DNS setup.

I have a server running BIND that has forwarders set to external DNS and has views setup so I can reach servers within my network with the same DNS names as externally.

I found this - https://www.pitt-pladdy.com/blog/_20170407-105402_0100_DNS_F... - and it takes the same blocklists Pi-Hole uses and generates BIND RPZ files. It accomplishes the same thing but integrated nicely into my setup. I have it updating weekly.

I mention this to say that I would consider using my ISP's DNS servers if they were Pi-Hole RPZ enabled. And since you can use any DNS you want I can't see why that would create legal issues.

An ISP won't really cut it these days, since more and more internet use, particularly in developing countries, is mobile. You need to start a small independent mobile carrier.

Someone needs to call John Legere and get T-Mobile working on this.

I mean offer a virtual ISP using VPN. Sell a preconfigured router.

Net neutrality is gone, block all you want as an ISP!

The legal hurdles are billions of dollars spent by corporate ISP conglomerates that have less morals than you do, and unfortunately that makes it more difficult to compete.

More like no morals. They only have "morals" when they might get sued, fined or just isn't profitable.

Can't you just offer a DNS service that does that?

Sure, that would be more cost effective, but less user-friendly. Most people don’t even know what DNS is, and it would be a nightmare walking every single customer through their router’s DHCP settings. Plus, if they cancel their subscription to my DNS, now they have to change it back.

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