XXX. Domain Halted
N
N
0Overall Score

The Bush Administration had a case of cold feet when it came to the global online venture for a virtual red light district.

Plans for a red light district in cyberspace have been put on ice after the Bush Administration had cold feet over the global online venture just days before its inception. ICANN, the organisation with the final say over the creation of new internet domains was to give its approval for the .xxx internet top-level domain (TLD), dedicated to online pornography and adult entertainment, on Tuesday.

 Although debate over the new .xxx domain has been open for the past 18 months, just days before its final approval, ICANN received a letter from Michael Gallagher, Assistant Secretary at the US Commerce Department.’The land of the free and home of the brave’ feel too many people would be offended by the xxx. Domain, despite the fact that this could help parents filter pornographic web sites a lot more easily and efficiently. Gallagher says he had received nearly 6000 letters and emails from individuals expressing concern about the impact of pornography on families and children and urging further debate.

“The volume of correspondence opposed to the creation of a .xxx TLD is unprecedented,” he wrote. “Given the extent of the negative reaction, I request that the board will provide a proper process and adequate additional time for these concerns to be voiced and addressed before any additional action takes place on this issue.”

The ICANN board received a similar appeal from its own Government Advisory Committee, representing the interests of international governments and interest groups. It confirmed that a number of governments had “expressed some concern with the potential introduction” of the .xxx domain. The ICM Registry said it was disappointed that government concerns had been raised but did not want the creation of a triple-x domain to undermine the integrity of the ICANN process, and had therefore asked the board to defer final approval of the registry agreement for a month.