Leslie Massey
Bitchute is an alt-tech video hosting service that was launched in 2017. It has been criticised for hosting far-right and conspiracy theory content, and has been banned by Patreon, Stripe, and PayPal. In 2019, Australian ISPs temporarily blocked the site, along with 4chan and Liveleak, after the Christchurch attack. This block is still in place for some ISPs, but users have found ways to circumvent it. So, while Bitchute is not completely banned in Australia, access to the site depends on the user's ISP.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ban | June 2019 |
| Reason for Ban | Christchurch attack |
| ISPs that blocked Bitchute | Telstra, Optus, Vodafone |
| Workarounds | Use a router that supports DNS over TLS, use Blokada V3, change DNS to Google DNS, use a VPN |
| Other countries with Bans | Germany, United Kingdom |
| Companies that have banned Bitchute | Patreon, Stripe, PayPal |
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What You'll Learn
ISPs in Australia blocking Bitchute
Several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia have blocked access to the video-sharing platform BitChute. Telstra and Optus are among the ISPs that have restricted users from accessing the website. This action was first taken temporarily in 2019, but the block has continued for several years.
BitChute is an alt-tech video hosting service launched in 2017 that describes itself as offering freedom of speech. The platform has become known for hosting far-right individuals, conspiracy theorists, and hate speech. Several prominent far-right and alt-right video creators have posted content to BitChute, including Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux, Millennial Woes, and Paul Joseph Watson. The website has also hosted misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and medically harmful content, leading to the removal of videos from other platforms.
In addition to Australian ISPs, other entities have taken action against BitChute. PayPal banned the platform from using its services, and Twitter began blocking posts linking to the site in 2020. BitChute was also banned from using Patreon and Stripe. In April 2025, BitChute suspended its service in the United Kingdom due to untenable regulatory conditions.
While some Australian ISPs have consistently blocked BitChute, this practice is not universal among ISPs in the country. Some users have reported being able to access the website through certain ISPs or by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). There are also workarounds available, such as using a different DNS server or a router that supports DNS over TLS.
The decision by some Australian ISPs to block BitChute has been met with mixed reactions. Some individuals have expressed frustration and have switched to other ISPs that do not implement such blocks. Others have called for public pressure to regain their internet rights and unrestricted access to the web.
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Reasons for the ban
In 2019, Australian internet service providers (ISPs) temporarily blocked BitChute, a video-sharing platform, alongside other sites including 4chan and Liveleak. While there was no official explanation for the ban, it is speculated that it was due to the platform's controversial content, including conspiracy theories, misinformation, and hate speech.
BitChute has gained notoriety for providing a platform for far-right individuals, conspiracy theorists, and hate speech. The platform has attracted users who have been banned from YouTube, such as prominent far-right and alt-right creators. These users often post more extreme content on BitChute while using YouTube for less extreme material. BitChute's lack of censorship and use of peer-to-peer WebTorrent technology make it difficult for governments and companies to censor or remove content, allowing controversial content to thrive on the platform.
The platform has faced widespread criticism for hosting harmful content, including misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and conspiracy theories such as "Plandemic," which was removed from other platforms. BitChute has also been criticized for providing a safe haven for far-right ideologies, with the Southern Poverty Law Center describing the platform as hosting "hate-fueled material." Additionally, BitChute was found to have hosted Holocaust denial and glorification content, leading to reports to regulatory authorities.
The temporary ban in Australia may have been influenced by similar actions taken by other entities. For example, PayPal banned BitChute from using its service, and Twitter started blocking posts linking to the site in 2020. Furthermore, the temporary block by Australian ISPs followed the Christchurch attack, during which some Australian ISPs temporarily blocked websites that shared footage of the incident.
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Workarounds to access Bitchute in Australia
In June 2019, Australian ISPs temporarily blocked Bitchute, 4chan, Liveleak, and other sites. As of June 2019, these sites are still blocked for some users.
There are several ways to get around this block and access Bitchute in Australia. One way is to use a VPN. VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, allow users to access the internet through a different IP address, which can make it appear as if they are accessing the site from a different location. Some VPN services that have been suggested for this purpose include NordVPN and Private Internet Access.
Another workaround suggested by a user on Reddit is to use Blokada V3. This app functions primarily as an adblocker, but it also creates a VPN, allowing access to blocked sites.
A more technical solution is to use a router that supports DNS over TLS. This method may require changing the DNS settings to access the blocked sites. One user on Reddit reported success accessing the blocked sites by changing their DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4). Another free option is to use DNSCrypt, which encrypts your DNS queries to a third-party DNS server that does not block websites.
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Other countries where Bitchute is banned
In 2019, Australian ISPs "temporarily" blocked BitChute, 4chan, Liveleak, and other sites. However, some users have reported that these sites, including Bitchute, are still blocked for them. It is possible to access Bitchute in Australia by using a VPN.
In April 2025, Bitchute suspended its services in the United Kingdom, displaying a message about "untenable regulatory conditions" and mentioning the Online Safety Act 2023 as the reason for the withdrawal of its services.
Bitchute has also been banned from using Patreon, Stripe, and PayPal. In 2019, the crowdfunding website IndieGogo also banned Bitchute.
In 2020, Twitter started blocking posts linking to Bitchute and later showed a warning to users who clicked on the links.
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Bitchute's stance on freedom of speech
Bitchute is an alt-tech video hosting service launched in 2017 by Ray Vahey. It describes itself as offering freedom of speech, while the service is known for hosting far-right individuals, conspiracy theorists, and hate speech. Bitchute has been banned from using Patreon, Stripe, and Paypal. In 2020, Twitter began blocking posts linking to the site. As of 2021, Bitchute was in the process of being reported to Ofcom after the discovery of Holocaust denial and glorification content on the website.
In Australia, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have blocked access to Bitchute. However, this blocking does not appear to be universal, and some users have reported being able to access the site without issue. There is no indication that this blocking is due to Bitchute's stance on freedom of speech. Instead, it is likely due to the site's association with harmful content.
Bitchute has welcomed Laura Loomer, a renowned activist and advocate for free speech, to its advisory board. In a statement, Loomer expressed her commitment to holding powerful entities accountable and her alignment with Bitchute's mission to preserve the integrity of open dialogue. She also emphasized her belief in free speech absolutism and her opposition to centralized control by Big Tech billionaires.
Bitchute describes itself as an authentic free speech platform, free from the constraints of Big Tech influence. It claims to be a bastion for unfiltered, organic content, without algorithms shaping narratives or suppressing speech. The platform emphasizes its belief that the suppression of ideas is a threat to governance rooted in freedom, liberty, and individual sovereignty.
While Bitchute's stance on freedom of speech may appeal to those seeking an alternative to mainstream platforms, it is important to note that the site has become a haven for extreme and harmful content. The lack of content moderation and the platform's refusal to answer to external entities have allowed conspiracy theories, misinformation, and hate speech to flourish. As a result, Bitchute has faced scrutiny and backlash from various sources, including other tech companies and regulatory bodies.
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Frequently asked questions
In June 2019, Australian ISPs temporarily blocked BitChute, 4chan, Liveleak, and other sites. However, it is unclear if the ban is still in place as some users claim to have accessed the site without a VPN.
BitChute was likely blocked due to its controversial content, including conspiracy theories, hate speech, and far-right ideologies. The block was implemented after the Christchurch attack, suggesting a connection between the two events.
BitChute is an alt-tech video hosting service launched in 2017. It is known for its lack of censorship, allowing users to post content that would be banned on other platforms, such as YouTube.
BitChute has been criticized for hosting conspiracy theories, hate speech, and far-right content. Notable creators include prominent far-right and alt-right figures such as Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux, and Paul Joseph Watson. The platform also hosted misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes, BitChute has been banned from using Patreon, Stripe, and PayPal. In August 2020, Twitter started blocking posts linking to the site. Additionally, in April 2025, BitChute suspended its service in the United Kingdom due to "untenable regulatory conditions."
