IFFOR Taps Former ICANN Exec to Lead 'Outreach'

WASHINGTON — IFFOR said Sunday it has tapped Kieren McCarthy, former ICANN general manager of public participation, to lead the organization’s “public outreach efforts."

McCarthy will be tasked with informing stakeholders of policies under development for the .XXX top-level domain, “as well as developing the tools through which Internet community members and IFFOR Policy Council members can reach consensus positions.”

“At ICANN, McCarthy won widespread recognition for his overhaul of the tools and systems used to involve others in its policy processes, covering everything from online public comment periods to physical meetings,” IFFOR said in a release Sunday. “He is also a strong advocate of the multi-stakeholder model used to decide policies in an increasing number of Internet organizations."

Joan Irvine, IFFOR's executive director, said McCarthy “has a strong track record of finding ways to involve people and making them feel a part of the process.”

Stuart Lawley, chairman of IFFOR, said, “It’s great to see another high-caliber individual sign up to IFFOR’s mission. In the Policy Council, we have already managed to bring together international leaders from the adult industry, child protection, privacy and security and freedom of expression arenas, and now we have someone who is able to make the most of that talent.”

“I look forward to the challenge. IFFOR will bring together a diverse group with strongly held views on a range of complex and far-reaching issues,” McCarthy said of his new role. “The fun part will be finding those workable compromises that everyone can buy into.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Summit Event Schedule Announced

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has revealed its slate of networking events and symposiums for its annual summit, set for January 15 during XBIZ 2026.

Pornhub Releases 2025 'Year in Review' Report

Pornhub has released its “Year in Review Insights” report for 2025, the 12th edition of the site’s annual statistics, data analysis, and infographic initiative.

Washington AV Bill Jumps on 'Health Warning' Bandwagon

A new age verification bill in the Washington state legislature would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged health risks, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

BranditScan Launches '25 Days of Christmas' Promo

BranditScan has launched its 25 Days of Christmas promotion.

MelRose Michaels Named Host of Online Industry Edition of XBIZ Honors

Performer and entrepreneur MelRose Michaels will MC the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Honors, set for Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Irish Regulator: EU States to Ramp Up AV Enforcement for Smaller Sites

A representative of Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán told legislators that Ireland and other EU states are preparing to expand enforcement of age verification regulations to include smaller adult sites, British newspaper The Times is reporting.

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Show More