Aussie ISP backs down on Uluru adverts

Australia's Telstra BigPond has come under fire for placing advertising billboards on its Second Life island right in front of a virtual model of Uluru.

The internet provider has since removed the billboards, which contained BigPond logos, after online communities expert Laurel Papworth complained in a blog post titled "Bigpond brands uluru". She claimed the telco was being insensitive to indigenous Australians.

BigPond - one of Second Life's most popular brand presences - uses its 16 virtual islands to advertise its products.

The islands contain 3D models of Australian landmarks including Uluru, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Its other popular destinations include Pondi Beach and the Billabong Bar, which - despite the recent Northern Territory intervention - serves virtual grog right next to Uluru.

Peter Buckskin, dean of the Indigenous College of Education & Research at the University of South Australia, said that, even though it was only a virtual representation, placing advertisements in front of Uluru was disrespectful.

"People would see that as insulting or disrespectful to the importance of the place ... we don't have McDonald's signs out in front of the Adelaide Cathedral," he said.

"It [Uluru] is iconic, it's cultural, and it goes to the heart of indigenous people sharing their stories."

Despite recent statistics showing there are only 12,245 active Australian Second Life users - down from highs of 16,000 towards the end of last year - BigPond recently opened a customer service kiosk in the virtual world that is staffed on weekdays from 11am to 10pm.

BigPond spokesman Peter Habib responded to Papworth's blog, thanking her for "raising this to our attention".

He said that, even though there was "quite some space" between the billboards and the "rock" the advertisements had since been removed.

"You are very correct in stating BigPond takes the image of Uluru in Second Life very seriously. This is why we do not allow avatars to climb or fly over it," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News