Based on the fact that
I've tested that the 'Spark' DNS servers- on a Spark network (as you can't query them at all otherwise)- don't return DNS records for the site, at least on IPv4. It may be that there are customers of other ISPs partnered with Spark which rely on their DNS servers- either reusing them directly or using them as the root for their own DNS servers- who may also be affected. Hard to tell without more information.
There is no room to dispute that Spark is, indeed, maliciously blocking access to the site.
Are some people on Spark able to connect? Sure- because the people involved are connected to a VPN, or they set up a custom DNS server on their device or router, or more likely someone at Noel Leeming or their nephew or whatever set up a custom DNS server on their device or router.
That the cunts at Spark are doing this blocking at the level of their DNS maliciously is indisputable, and there isn't really a good technical solution to it.
- if the admins of this site recommended that people change the DNS settings on their devices, this would inevitably cause problems when people connected to 'kiosk login' type networks
- telling users how to update the DNS server settings for their home router is... not much help at all, because every bloody router is different
- suggesting a VPN is not ideal as most of them- especially 'free VPNs'- are worse for your privacy than no VPN at all. If you're not going to pay for something decent like Mullvad or ProtonVPN best just to use the Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 app
- you have to get here first anyway to have those recommendations presented to you... which Spark is blocking
The simple fact is, this DNS blocking is a
really really bad idea for Spark, and a few (civil, well-reasoned) threats towards them could very well get this dealt with.
After all, if Spark will block this (perfectly legal) website (but not competitors?
hmmm), why aren't they blacklisting thepiratebay.org and libgen.is for the media publishing companies? If they once step into censorship at this level, they either open up censoring their DNS service for everyone, or have to wind it back.
