Metro

De Blasio disables internet access on Wi-Fi kiosk screens

Internet access is being disabled at hundreds of free Wi-Fi kiosks around the city — just days after The Post reported that a homeless man was caught masturbating at one of the booths in Murray Hill.

“There were concerns about loitering and extended use of LinkNYC kiosks, so the mayor is addressing these quality-of-life complaints head-on,” said City Hall spokeswoman Natalie Grybauskas on Wednesday.

Limited sites will still be accessible, such as those that provide government services. So will the city’s 311 complaint center and 911. The free Wi-Fi and phone calls won’t be affected.

But no more endless movies surfing that turned some kiosks into living rooms for folks who brought their own furniture.

‘There were concerns about loitering and extended use of LinkNYC kiosks … Removing the internet browser from LinkNYC tablets will not affect the other great services LinkNYC provides …’

 - Natalie Grybauskas, City Hall spokeswoman

The operators of LinkNYC already had added browsing blocks in response to complaints the screens were becoming porn hubs.

Upper West Sider David Shapiro called the city’s move an “‘Only in New York’ solution to an ‘Only in New York’ problem.”

“[The] city offers free Internet; certain members of the homeless population use Internet for nefarious purposes; city, for all intents and purposes, takes Internet away. Now we’re stuck with Internet that’s basically useless and grotesque mental images that will be hard to get rid of,” said Shapiro, 51. “It’s just another reason you’ve got to love this town.”

Many others said the loss of the kiosk-screen surfing option wouldn’t directly impact them because they used their phones to go online.

“But if restricted access means it’s less likely I’ll see a homeless person masturbating on the sidewalk, then I definitely support what the city is doing,” said Deepak Chambal, a 22-year-old student from Murray Hill. “I don’t need to see that stuff.”

Nearly 400 kiosks have already been installed on sidewalks in place of phone booths — with roughly 8,000 planned for the five boroughs by 2023.

The Post recently reported that one couple used a Murray Hill kiosk as their personal “date night” to watch a movie, drink and make out, while one man set up a couch and footrest to watch the screen at another site.

Cops said they arrested a 41-year-old man for “masturbating in open view of the public” early Sunday at East 31st Street and Third Avenue in Murray Hill.

Mayor de Blasio has previously suggested New Yorkers would be able to work out conflicts over kiosk-hogging on their own.

“I’m sure, you know, people waiting in line are making their voices heard, too, and New Yorkers are pretty vocal so I’m hopeful that takes care of it,” Hizzoner said last month.

The surfing feature on the kiosk tablets will be disabled by Friday at the latest, city officials said.