ICANN Turns Down .XXX Info Request

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — ICANN has denied FSC’s request for more information about the .XXX sTLD application, including a list of its pre-registrations.

The organization sent a letter to FSC’s Executive Director Diane Duke saying the materials it requested about ICM Registry and its sponsorship body IFFOR, are confidential.

“This is not a case of ICANN rejecting our request, it is a case of ICM refusing to give up information,” Duke told XBIZ.

“FSC has argued from the start that ICM has misled ICANN about sponsorship community support. ICM’s refusal to come forward with the requested information only strengthens FSC’s argument.”

According to ICANN, ICM didn’t respond when asked if it would like to lift the confidentiality restrictions.

"We were asked by ICANN whether we wished to authorize them to release any confidential documents as per the FSC's request, and of course, we declined," ICM's Stuart Lawley told XBIZ.

"We wrote to ICANN on the 12th October by which time they had already issued their DIDP response. Financial statements and customer lists are naturally private and confidential. There was never any question of new documents being asked for from us, ICANN already has full documentation in their possession."

FSC in September formally requested transparency in the ICM’s application process and asked 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.

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.

FSC believes the pre-registrations are from adult industry members who would prefer the .XXX not be approved.

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

California Enacts Stricter UGC Rules for Adult Sites

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill to impose tighter compliance standards for user-generated content (UGC) on adult websites accessible in California.

UK Aims to Begin Enforcing 'Choking' Ban Before Year's End

The U.K. will soon begin enforcement of a new law criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation” in adult content, according to a Ministry of Justice official.

XBIZ LA Conference Website Goes Live, Registration Now Open

The event website for the XBIZ LA conference is now live, offering comprehensive information about the upcoming event, taking place Jan. 7-10 at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE.

CrakRevenue Rolls Out 'Aff Companion' Real-Time Mobile Notification App

CrakRevenue has launched Aff Companion, a mobile app that sends affiliates real-time notifications about clicks, conversions, and revenue.

Goddess Lilith Launches New Official Website Through PAYSITE

Goddess Lilith has rolled out her new official site, QueenGoddessLilith, through PAYSITE.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Reclaiming Intimacy' Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers with trauma-impacted intimacy issues.

Ofcom Cites Web Prime, Porntrex for Alleged AV Violations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday notified two operators of adult websites of the agency’s provisional determination that the companies have failed to comply with provisions of the Online Safety Act.

FSC: Utah Excise Tax on Adult Content Goes Into Effect October 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued an advisory that the Utah Excise Tax goes into effect tomorrow.

Segpay Parent Company Names David Press to Board

Segpay parent company Toccata Inc. has named payment industry veteran David Press to its board of directors.

Platform Pulse: Inside the Technology and Trends Powering the Direct-to-Fan Economy

For a brief, glittering moment, the fan-platform boom felt like a modern-day gold rush. The premise seemed simple: Open an account, post some tantalizing content and watch the subscriptions roll in. OnlyFans became a household name, "selling feet pics" became a cultural punchline and creators poured into the market hoping to claim their share of the action.

Show More