FSC Pushes for Transparency in ICANN's .XXX Review Process

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition this week formally asked ICANN for transparency in the application process for the .XXX sTLD proposed by domain registrar ICM.

The request, spelled out in a letter, was one of two documents sent to the web domain regulator.

The FSC also filed a so-called Documentary Information Disclosure Policy (DIDP) request with ICANN to request information pertaining to the application process.

The FSC said in a release Thursday that, "as a 'sponsored' TLD, the success of ICM’s application requires the support of adult industry stakeholders. FSC opposes the .XXX sTLD and has urged adult online business owners to voice their opposition to ICANN."

Further, the FSC said its actions this week follow what it contends are "inconsistencies in information to be disclosed to stakeholders during the ongoing application process."

“This isn’t a done deal,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “There are still a lot of questions to be answered and barriers to overcome. FSC and the adult entertainment industry will make sure that our voice is heard in the process.”

In the letter, Duke requests that ICANN:

  • Verify that companies which ICM has listed in support are viable adult businesses;
  • Verify that companies listed in support in fact do support ICM’s current application for a .XXX sTLD;
  • Determine how many pre-registrations claimed by ICM are in fact defensive registrations; and,
  • Determine how many pre-registrations are registrars or companies hoping to re-sell domain names.
With the DIDP request, the adult trade group asked for information relative to International Foundation for Online Responsibility, known as IFFOR, the governing body proposed by ICM to set policy for .XXX sTLDs.

Specifically, the FSC asked for:

  • A list of the IFFOR Board members;
  • A list of proposed members of the Policy Council;
  • IFFOR’s business plan, including projections over a five-year period with 125,000 initial registrations;
  • A list of .XXX sTLD pre-registrants who have been identified to ICANN; and,
  • ICM’s proof of sponsorship community support as submitted to ICANN.
The FSC says ICANN is obligated to respond to the DIDP request for information within 30 days of filing.

The procedure for approval of the .XXX sTLD was announced by the ICANN Board of Directors after their June meeting in Brussels.

The current process includes a 30-day public commentary period that started on Aug 24. It also required posting of information from ICM’s revised registry agreement on the ICANN website.

Duke also also requested that the public commentary period be extended to 30 days after resolution of the DIDP request.

The FSC said that industry stakeholders who would like to voice their opposition to the proposed .XXX sTLD can submit an email to ICANN here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 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

Texas Court Orders Adult Site Domain Locked for AV Violations

A district court in Texas has issued a writ requiring domain registry Verisign to “lock” an adult website’s domain over noncompliance with the state’s age verification law.

Adult Web Hosting Service 'QloudHost' Launches

QloudHost, a new web hosting service for adult websites, has launched.

Peter Hooke Launches New Paysite

Peter Hooke has launched an official website through PAYSITE.

Pineapple Support Names Ny Ny Lew as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Ny Ny Lew as its newest brand ambassador.

Federal AV Proposal Passes House, Faces Senate Opposition

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, which includes provisions to make age verification by adult websites federal law, but the bill still faces tough going in the Senate.

Devin Drills Launches New Paysite

Creator Devin Drills has launched an official website through PAYSITE.

AV Bulletin: Midyear Roundup

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, more state age verification laws have been enacted around the United States, as well as proposed at the federal level and in other countries. Meanwhile, lawsuits resulting from AV laws have begun to play out in the courts. This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Judge Dismisses Last NCOSE-Backed Suit Over Kansas AV Law

A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that adult site SuperPorn violated Kansas’ age verification law, citing lack of jurisdiction after similarly dismissing two related cases earlier this year.

ASACP Updates 'Restricted to Adults' Labeling Resource Page

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) has updated its Restricted to Adults (RTA) labeling resource page.

Federal AV Proposal Scores Minor Win in House but Remains in Doubt

A newly announced bipartisan agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce may soon bring a proposed federal age verification law before the full House, but the measure continues to face an uphill battle.

Show More