As many of you know, hundreds of websites turned black this Australia Day (and many will remain so for the rest of the week) to protest the Government’s plan to censor the Internet. It might not have been as popular as beach BBQs or beer and the cricket, but initial numbers are a good sign that more Australian’s now know how they can help stop the filter from being introduced.

Website for the Greens blacked out.

Website for the Greens blacked out.

Online Campaign Coordinator for The Great Australia Internet Blackout, Jeff Waugh, shared these figures today:

  • 455 verified participating websites (this only includes those who pledged or informed organisers, others are yet to be tallied).
  • Websites include (or included) iiNet, Booko, Australian Greens and Australian Democrats.
  • The information popup which appears on sites participating in the campaign has been seen more than 270,000 times.
  • There has so far been over 196,000 unique visitors to the Great Australian Internet Blackout website.
  • Media coverage included a top story on SMH.com.au, as well as articles on ABCZDNet, News.com.au and many more news websites.
  • Drive time radio coverage.