The .xxx top-level domain was approved by ICANN on Friday following years of failed attempts by the domain’s sponsor ICM Registry. .xxx is restricted to “adult sites” but is not mandatory.

The porn industry may be protesting about their financial losses (purchasing of domains to protect brands), but they’re correct on the free speech implications of a .xxx world.

Paul Cambria, industry attorney (via Xbiz):

“.XXX would afford a step toward content-based categorization of otherwise lawful speech. It would also provide a very convenient tool for those who have the power to either censor or prevent lawful speech to be disseminated.”

Like warning interstitials .xxx is a pointless move in an effort to give the prim false security. It’s misdirection: “Hey look. All the porn is over here at .XXX, easy to find but conveniently out of the way! ; )” Except it’s voluntary, so .com versions may slip through your filter. And on filter-less networks when little Johnny asks where all the porn is at, Sally says, “just tack on .xxx.”

Here’s how the Guardian ends their news story:

Use of the domain name is voluntary and is designed to shut out child porn and incorporate heightened security barriers, making it harder for children to stumble on sexual content online.

That is the exact PR ICM is using to defend itself: We’re protecting children from porn! The mainstream media needs to correct their stories to say “the domain name… is designed to make ICM money.” That’s the only reason .xxx exists. It fights child porn and hides sex just as well as a voluntary .religion domain would protect us from nutty extremists.

There is a real fear that this decision will lead to and inspire support for a .xxx mandate on every site considered “adult.” If this happens sites with even the slightest hint of eroticism or explicit commentary on sexuality will be in danger of unwarranted regulation.

Adult Industry Members Respond to .XXX Approval (Xbiz)

.xxx (Wikipedia)

Previously: highonse.xxx