Shagtastic news as ICANN officially approves .xxx domains

by Steven Mostyn - Mar 21 2011, 13:13

In an attempt to create a legitimate, safe, and trusted enclave of pornographic websites, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has officially signed off on the use of saucy .xxx suffixes.

Although adult content will remain available through the likes of .com, .co.uk, .ca, etc., Florida-based Internet registry ICM—which will actively regulate .xxx sites—has suggested that online risks associated with surfing porn will be quashed by the single domain.

“At the moment, the consumer has no way of knowing who is operating to good standards or has viruses,” outlined Stuart Lawley, chairman and CEO of ICM Registry, in a Washington Post report. “This new domain allows webmasters to associate with best business practices.”

While a clearly signposted virtual red light district seems solid in principle, the controversial .xxx suffix certainly has its critics.

For example, the current U.S. government has warned that its introduction will only provide oppressive regimes with a “back door” advantage that enables enforced censorship via the erection of blockades against any and all sites carrying an .xxx address.

Oddly enough, the porn industry is itself not entirely sold on the idea of an all-encompassing .xxx domain, with certain dissenters voicing a number of concerns including government-enforced censorship and also potentially aggressive policing by ICM controllers.

According to ICM Registry, a portion of the registration fee charged to register an .xxx site will be siphoned off to help promote free speech and fight against incidences of child pornography.

Promising to keep adult sites clear of spam, viruses, malware and other forms of illegal activity, the ICM Registry website can be visited by clicking here.

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