Australian Feds Worry New Broadband Network Will Allow Porn, Sexting

NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia — Australia’s Federal Police are worried that a new National Broadband Network (NBN) will hamper their efforts to restrict porn and would create a sexting craze among minors in the Northern Territory.

Policing of adult material in the region was introduced as part of the commonwealth intervention in remote indigenous communities that previously had no Internet access.

But the cops made it clear at a joint parliamentary inquiry into the issue that now, the new NBN would foster sexting by area minors because of the "ability to download, or upload" porn.

They told the inquiry that reports of teen sexting is on the rise despite the justice system’s focus  on diversion and education rather than prosecuting crimes "unless the behavior is deemed as exceedingly predatory or malicious — such as in instances of 'sextortion.’”

Broadcasting and transportation of porn to certain communities is currently restricted at the request of the community.

"Throughout these remote communities and locations, the sharing of child-abuse material is restricted through Bluetooth technology, with extremely short radius to the originating device," the police said.

"However, once the NBN is rolled out and community members become aware of the procedures to share information, there will be nothing to prevent sexting images taken of minors to be shared across any Internet or telecommunication device."

Parliament is due to report on the options for addressing the issue of sexting by minors at the end of August. The attorney general's department introduced reforms to parliament in 2010 to deal with trends in the use of technology to commit crimes, according to The Australian.

In addition, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has told the inquiry that it is working with the attorney general to develop a new Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN), to report cyber crimes and deliver them to law enforcement and government agencies.

The ACORN project is slated to start in 2014 and will allow citizens to report sexting and cyber bullying incidents online, the department said.

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

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Show More