| US Senate restarts .XXX debate - ZDNet article states that "Plans to force creators of content that features 'lewd exhibition of the genitals' into an Internet red-light zone have been proposed by two US Democratic senators."
Here we go again. Been through this. Done this. Same arguments, same counter-arguments. The laws that be want to herd all the porn sites inside a safe zone - with a .XXX domain, instead of being allowed to choose anything they want, from .com and .net to .biz, .org and the country specific domains, such as .uk, .us and others.
The argument goes like this - It'll be easier to identify, segregate and filter out porn sites from being viewed by minors, if all the 'lewd' content is safely behind .XXX. While I'm sure that the intentions of the two democratic Senators are noble and selfless, and have nothing to do with election year posturing or trying to win over the 'Values' crowd, it's debatable what, in reality, this bill will manage to achieve. The problems? Foremost, this bill applies only to websites in the United States. The real effect, same as the one brought about by the Justic departments 2257 regulation change, will be to drive American companies engaged in the porn business to Europe. Secondly, it's sort up like setting up the whole industry for exploitation by everyone, starting from web-hosts to ISP's to various government agencies - "What, you have a .XXX domain? Ok, you pay double." All someone has to do is get their hands on a list of .XXX domains and they can go 'pimp' hunting.
The counter argument? Not that one's needed, given all the fault lines in the concept, but for whatever it's worth, it's about 'Free Speech'. People have a right to produce porn, and they have a right to see it. And anything which restricts that right, is an assault on free speech. You decide what's right and who has a responsibility to do what to keep minors safe. This is one argument that's not going away anytime soon.
Update : 30th March 2006 : US Commerce Department stymies ICANN move to introduce .XXX domain names. Article in the EarthTimes.org says "A Government Advisory Committee, which was directed to look into the issue said in its report today that public policy support for the move was not on expected levels and several members of the GAC are emphatically opposed from a public policy perspective to the introduction of a .xxx sTLD."
Well, that didn't take long. One more round finished before it starts. I'll update this when the next round begins. And expect it to go much the same as this one.
Update : 11th May 2006 : ICANN rejects .XXX domain proposal. Article in CNet News says "ICANN's board on Wednesday voted nine to five against the proposal, which would have led to the creation of a .xxx domain suffix for pornography sites".
Well, that's one more down the drain. If someone were to calculate the amount of money spent on developing proposals for .XXX and then considering and rejecting it....Oh well, guess it's not about the money. Guess it's about principles and morality and ...Vote Banks? Next update for the great .XXX debate probably after Nov 2006 and before the 2008 Presidential elections. Until then, just type www.freeadultzone.net for some free porn.
Update : 14th May 2006 : EU objects to US political interference in .XXX proposal. Article in EU Observer says "The European Commission has accused the US of political intervention over a decision by the internet addressing system to reject a top level domain devoted to pornography".
Just when we think they couldn't fbe any more dumber, they go and do something which totally redeems them. The EU is supposed to be more 'progressive' than the current conservative climate in the US. Instead, they turn around and accuse the US of being liberal and porn friendly. Go figure.
Update : 19th May 2006 : Battle over .xxx porn domains to go to court. Article in The Times, UK says "ICM Registry, the company behind the unsuccessful bid for a .xxx domain for internet pornography, is to take the United States government to court over the issue."
Gimme a break. Please. I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry. The United States government is going to face a lawsuit defending the porn industry????? That's a first. It also highlights the extreme stupidity of the cats at the ICM Registry. Anyway, looks like there's gonna be a few more updates for .XXX before November. Get your own popcorn, please.
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