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 © 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

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Creator Networking App 'Plaiir' Launches

Plaiir, a mobile networking app for creators, has officially launched.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Adult Site Broker Relaunches Site

Adult Site Broker has relaunched its website with several updates.

Pink and White Productions Relaunches PinkLabel.TV

Pink and White Productions has relaunched its PinkLabel.tv streaming platform.

Wick Entertainment Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Wick Entertainment has joined the ranks of over 60 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Show More