Australian ISP Pulls Out of Internet Filtering Trials

CANBERRA, Australia — The withdrawal of the country's third largest Internet service provider, iiNet, from a government-mandated content filtering trial run has led opposition leaders to continue their attack on the proposed filtering system.

iiNet said it was prepared to participate in the trial, but has pulled out because it believes the government's definition of "unwanted" websites is too vague and the purpose of the trial is confused.

A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, who has been an advocate of the filtering, said the company never raised those concerns during negotiations and the government is confident the trial will still be successful without the company.

Opposition communications spokesman Nick Minchin said the trial is looking less likely, and without Australia's largest Internet providers the trial will lose credibility.

"We're prepared to wait and see what these trials show but the government won't commit to independent auditing," he said. "We have the three biggest ISPs not participating. You've really got to start to doubt the credibility and veracity of this trial itself."

iiNet's managing director, Michael Malone, had said that the company only agreed to participate in the trial to demonstrate that the policy was fundamentally flawed, a waste of taxpayers' money and would not work.

"We are not able to reconcile participation in the trial with our corporate social responsibility, our customer service objectives and our public position on censorship," Malone said. "It became increasingly clear that the trial was not simply about restricting child pornography or other such illegal material, but a much wider range of issues including what the government simply describes as 'unwanted material' without an explanation of what that includes.

"Everyone is repulsed by, and opposed to, child pornography but this trial and policy is not the solution or even about that."

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Blake Blossom, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 4th Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Adult Time Renews Silver Sponsorship for Pineapple Support

Adult Time has renewed its sponsorship of Pineapple Support at the Silver level.

Pornhub to Block UK Users Without Accounts Starting Feb. 2

Pornhub parent company Aylo will block access to its free video-sharing platforms in the United Kingdom starting Feb. 2 unless users have already set up accounts prior to that date, the company announced Tuesday.

Aylo Wins Another Major Piracy Lawsuit

For the second time in recent weeks, Pornhub parent company Aylo has prevailed in a copyright infringement case against sites pirating its content.

FSC Supports OpenAge Initiative and Adoption of AgeKeys for User-Centric Age Assurance

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it will support the OpenAge Initiative and its AgeKey cryptographic age assurance solution.

SWR Data Publishes 2026 'Hot List' Report

Adult industry market research outfit SWR Data has published its 2026 Hot List report on the top creator platforms of 2025.

Adult Chat Platform Arousr Sets Human-Only Host Policy

Adult chat platform Arousr has announced a policy to only use verified human hosts, not chatbots.

Arizona State Legislator Proposes Porn Ban

A member of Arizona’s House of Representatives on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make it illegal to produce or distribute adult content in that state.

SinfulX AI to Roll Out New Video Generator

AI companion platform SinfulX AI is launching an upgraded video generator in February.

SCOTUS Won't Hear Appeal in NYC Adult Businesses Zoning Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a group of adult businesses of a lower court’s decision allowing enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

Show More