Australia Ready to Test Web Filters

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia's mandatory net filtering system is being prepared to block 10,000 websites as part of a blacklist of "unwanted content." Some 1,300 websites have already been identified for blocking by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), up from 1,000 at the beginning of the year.

Communications Minister Sen. Stephen Conroy revealed details of the government's proposed web filter this week. Internet service providers will test different ways to filter Internet content using volunteer subscribers. The trial will start before Christmas and is expected to last six weeks.

"The pilot will test filtering specifically against the ACMA blacklist of Internet prohibited content, which is mostly child pornography, as well as filtering of other unwanted content," Conroy said in response to a question by Sen. Scott Ludlum.

"The pilot will specifically test filtering against the ACMA blacklist of prohibited content, which is mostly child pornography, as well as filtering of other unwanted content," Conroy told Parliament. "While the ACMA blacklist is currently around 1300 URLs, the pilot will test against this list — as well as filtering for a range of URLs to around 10,000 — so that the impacts on network performance of a larger blacklist can be examined."

An ACMA trial of web filtering technology earlier this year found that filters could slow Internet access by at least 2 percent and as much as 87 percent.

Colin Jacobs, a board member of civil liberties advocacy group Electronic Frontiers Australia, said the group was concerned at what would be deemed "unwanted content."

"It is unclear how ACMA will scale up their blacklist to 10,000 websites and what will go on the list," Jacobs said. "Conroy said the list would contain illegal and unwanted content — but we still have to see what would end up on that list. Under the current mandate that includes adult material, which would mean most material that could be rated R and, in some circumstances, material rated MA15+."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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

Pineapple Support Taps Austin Ponce as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Austin Ponce as its newest brand ambassador.

Taylor Vixxen Stars in New DezyRed Interactive VR Game

Taylor Vixxen stars in an interactive VR game from DezyRed.

XBIZ Amsterdam's Jakarta Hotel Sold Out, Additional Hotels Announced

Guest rooms at XBIZ Amsterdam’s exclusive conference venue, Jakarta Hotel, are now completely sold out.

X3 Expo Unveils 2026 All-Stars, Show Dates Set for Jan. 16-17

X3 Expo returns to the historic Hollywood Palladium on January 16–17, bringing together fans, creators and industry insiders for North America’s largest assembly of adult entertainment stars, alongside a dazzling lineup of attractions spotlighting the cutting edge of modern media and pleasure tech.

Trump Administration Issues Executive Order Against 'Debanking'

The White House on Thursday issued an executive order limiting financial institutions’ ability to restrict access to financial services for people or groups involved in lawful industries, a longtime goal of adult industry advocates and stakeholders.

Go.cam Launches Free Age Verification Solution, Anti-Fraud Features

Go.cam has announced that its age verification solution is now free with updated anti-fraud and identity protection features.

Florida AG Sues EU-Based Adult Companies for Failing to Age-Verify Users

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida against five EU-based adult companies for allegedly failing to require age verification before allowing access to adult content.

SkyPrivate Launches 'Telegram Pay-Per-Minute' Feature

SkyPrivate has launched a new pay-per-minute (PPM) private show option on Telegram.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Money and Mental Health' Online Event

Pineapple Support is hosting a free, online event to help performers balance financial wellbeing with mental health, Aug. 18-19.

Arcom Warns 5 Adult Sites Over Age Verification

French media regulator Arcom has sent enforcement notices to the operators of five adult websites that the agency says have failed to implement age verification as required under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Show More