Triple X Marks the Spot

Thirteenth Entry:

In Kenya, ICANN (International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), “a global Internet oversight agency is reopening discussions about whether to create a ".xxx" domain…Parents would be able to use the system to help block access to porn sites, though because its use would be voluntary, the ".xxx" suffix wouldn't keep such content entirely away from minors.”

Since it was first proposed in 2000 by ICM Registry, a registry operator, the idea of a “virtual red-light district” has been rejected thrice. It has faced strong objections from the religious and anti-pornography groups. They think that creating such domain would encourage, promote, market, and ultimately, legitimize pornography. Another criticism of this idea is that it is not effective in achieving its objective of keeping children away from the adult sites. Using the domain is purely voluntary, so nothing is stopping the porn site creators to use a different one. “And because a domain name serves merely as an easy-to-remember moniker for a site's actual numeric Internet address, even if its use is required, a child could simply punch in the numeric address of any blocked ".xxx" name.” ICANN is concerned that it would end up being a regulatory body. Adult site creators/operators fear that using the domain would eventually become mandatory.

On the other hand, ICM Registry puts forward several advantages of allowing .xxx domain.

a. For willing adult consumers of adult entertainment, the Best Business Practices incorporated into the .xxx registration agreement will bring a greater degree of confidence and certainty to their online experience.

b. For adult entertainment providers, identifying themselves as compliant with a comprehensive set of Best Business Practices is expected to provide more predictable revenue streams, greater customer retention and fewer complaints as regulators and others will see adult entertainment providers take a proactive and responsible approach to their web presence.

c. For individuals or families wishing to avoid adult content, the machine- readable labels will allow easy and reliable filtering. (http://www.icmregistry.com/index.html)

I don’t believe that pornography has any value to the entire universe. But I know that it satisfies a “need” so it can’t be escaped. Regulating the industry may be a good move, assuming that the porn providers are “responsible” and that they care about what the .xxx scheme promises. I just have a problem trusting sex sellers that they would actually be willing to go through the trouble of self-regulating.

Other source: "Global Agency Reconsiders ".xxx" for Porn Sites" http://news.yahoo.com