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Web agency mulls creating online red-light district
The international agency in charge of assigning domain names is again discussing whether to create a ‘.xxx' domain name as an online red-light district for porn sites. The proposal has already been rejected three times since 2000 as anti-porn groups worry that ‘.xxx' may legitimize porn sites. But others say it could be used to keep sexually explicit content away from other sites and child web users.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) may revive ICM Registry's bid as it meets this week in Nairobi. According to ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom, board members are weighing the bid ahead of formal consideration this week.
ICM, which planned to charge USD60 for a site to register a ‘.xxx' name, first proposed ‘.xxx' to help the online porn industry clean up its act. Although parents could block all sites ending in ‘.xxx', the domain would be voluntary so some sites would still be accessible.
