McDonald's Backtracks on Web Filter

McDonald's restaurants in New Zealand have begun allowing access to some gay related websites through their free Wi-Fi service, but others will continue to be blocked.

The fast-food chain came under fire last week for a filter blocking access to gay sites, including news and informational sites like Advocate.com andGayNZ, and organizations including Family Planning and Rainbow Youth.

After likening gay content sites to those promoting tobacco, gambling, and "adult mature content websites," McDonald's altered the filter, allowing more news sites, Stuff reports. GayNZ is still blocked due to third-party advertisements that were too "sexually explicit" and do not meet the company's family- or child-friendly criteria, said McDonald's communications manager Christine Dennis.

McDonald's recently completed global installation of Wi-Fi, making it one of the largest free Internet providers in New Zealand.