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Is there any indication this was intentional?

Nope. Author made a big leap from "it doesn't work for some folks" to "omg we're being actively blocked by an ISP! get out your pitchforks everyone!"

Smart, though. No way this makes the front page of HN without blaming Net Neutrality violation.

No, it's not smart. It's clickbait, and "hacker" "news" eats it up, every time.