Net Shield Basic is free of charge for Spark broadband customers. This includes blocking harmful content and searching safely. Netshield Premium provides even more control with filters, parental control and specific website blocking for $4.95 per month.
Basic filters that block pornography, illegal, abusive and graphic content. Search safely knowing excplicit content is being blocked.
Restrict access to the internet at certain times of the day. Allow access to only certain websites to keep your family safe.
Filter content with category filters such as weapons, alochol and gambling. Block and allow specific websites with Netshield Premium.
| Features | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Block harmful content |  |
|
| Search safely | |
|
| Set content restrictions | |
|
| Time of day control | |
|
| Block and allow access to specific websites | |
|
| Lock down internet use | |
Net Shield blocks websites by category. For example, the alcohol and tobacco category blocks all websites that sell or encourage the use of alcohol and tobacco. Premium users can choose the strength of the filter, while Net Shield Basic uses a Low Filter.
Other categories include weapons, gambling, chat and forums, abusive content, illegal activity, dating, entertainment, file sharing, gaming, adult content and social media.
Website categorisation is managed by a third-party partner of Spark. Some websites are always accessible, including Spark-related websites, public service and government websites. Spark defines and manages this list. This list is subject to change at any time. On rare occasions content can be accessed if it has not been categorised.
The level of protection you set on Net Shield works across any device connected to your broadband network, so you don’t have to change the settings on each one. This does mean it’s not possible to change the settings for specific devices.
Net Shield is managed by you from your MySpark account, so settings can't be changed. However people will be able to use mobile data, apps or a VPN.
Net Shield is available to all residential and business customers with a Spark broadband plan. If you cancel your broadband service, your Net Shield subscription will also be cancelled.
The number of websites that can be blocked or allowed is limited:
Below you will find a list content categories that will be blocked with a High, Medium or Low Filter.
Net Shield Basic applies the Low Filter only.
Net Shield Premium allows you to select a High, Medium or Low filter. You can also create your own Custom Filter and select the content categories you'd like to block.
1. Terms
These Terms of Service explain how Net Shield works. These terms are part of the contract between you as a customer and Spark as the provider of the Net Shield service. By activating Net Shield, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms.
In these terms, Spark may be referred to as we, ours or us.
Spark’s Standard Residential and Residential Broadband Terms also apply:
See Standard Residential terms
See Residential Broadband terms
If Net Shield terms conflict with Spark's other terms, the other terms will override the Net Shield terms.
2. Options
There are two options available to both residential and business customers:
You can pick which option to activate from your online MySpark account. You can switch between these two options at any time.
3. Minimum Term
If you are using the Premium option and then terminate it, the charges will be pro-rated for that month.
4. Exclusions
In no event will Spark, its related parties, and third-party suppliers (and our respective directors, officers, employees, agents and contractors) be liable for any direct, indirect, special, or consequential losses or damages of whatsoever kind arising out of your use of or access to Net Shield, whether based on breach of contract, tort (including negligence), product liability or otherwise.
Except as expressly set out in these Terms, Spark excludes all warranties which may be implied into these Terms by law, to the extent permitted by law.
In addition to the above exclusions, the exclusions and limitations on Spark’s liability that are set out in Spark’s Standard Residential and Standard Business Terms also apply. Please read all terms carefully.
5. Other Terms
Spark will provide the Net Shield service using reasonable skill and care. However, no internet filtering service is perfect or fail-safe. Net Shield does not replace parental or management supervision of internet use. Net Shield is thus provided on a “best efforts” basis. Net Shield cannot provide 100% coverage across all internet traffic.
Net Shield does not:
Net Shield does not cover you, if:
Spark is unable to provide specific performance guarantee or otherwise represent that Net Shield will be a perfect or fail-safe internet content filtering service.
We may amend these Terms, or introduce new fees or change existing fees for your use of Net Shield, by giving you at least one month’s notice before any changes take effect. If we change any Terms, your continued use of the Net Shield service indicates that you accept the changes.
Spark reserves the right at anytime to change, extend or discontinue – either temporarily or permanently – all or any part of the Net Shield service upon provision of reasonable notice to you. Spark will not be liable to you or any third party for any such modification or discontinuance of the service.
New Zealand law governs these Terms, and any other terms that apply to the provision of Net Shield service and the New Zealand courts shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising.
For all notices relating to Net Shield service, contact Spark customer service.
