'Bad people messed it up': misuse forces changes to New York's Wi-Fi kiosks

Free Wi-Fi will still be available around the city but web browsing on tablets is temporarily removed after growing concerns over inappropriate behavior

Few people lingered near the LinkNYC Wi-Fi kiosks along 8th Avenue on Thursday morning. One made a phone call near Times Square, others charged their phones. Two men stood in front of another one at a machine near Penn Station, charging their phones and utilizing the free Wi-Fi.

The tall metal towers began replacing city phone booths with free Wi-Fi, phone calls and info services - like 311, New York City's non-emergency services directory, or Google maps - earlier this year. Until yesterday, they also had internet-enabled tablets. However, after reports of misuse and growing public concern, it was announced that web browsing on the tablets would be temporarily removed.