Business Week Dissects .XXX Controversy

NEW YORK — While ICANN’s decision to shelve the .XXX sponsored top-level domain for the time being may have U.S. webmasters breathing a sigh of relief, others aren’t as pleased and are accusing the organization of buckling to political pressure, according to Business Week.

The magazine said that the EU, in particular, is taking issue with ICANN’s repeated delays of a final vote on .XXX and its announcement at a meeting last week in New Zealand that no timetable has been set for a decision.

In a statement, the ICANN board said it needs more time to analyze public comments and negotiate with the parties involved — even though the issue should have been settled more than seven months ago.

“Some members of the international community are incensed,” Business Week reporter Burt Helm writes. “They say the decision, which leaves the .XXX domain in bureaucratic limbo, is a sign the U.S. is letting domestic politics influence the day-to-day operation of the Internet.

Martin Selmayr, spokesperson for the EU’s Commission for Information Society and Media, tells Helm that the .XXX approval process, which has seen ICANN flout its normal practices several times at the request of the U.S. Commerce Dept., damages the U.S.’s credibility in the ongoing debate over Internet governance.

In short, he says, ICANN is not making decisions based on whether ICM Registry, the company behind the push for .XXX, has followed the necessary procedures, but on the moral leanings of politicos in Commerce who are unduly hindering what is supposed to be a nonpolitical, independent process.

”Meantime, international concerns over U.S. influence are likely to simmer,” Helm concludes. “EU representatives don't want U.S. domestic politics setting the agenda for what is ultimately a global Internet.”

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

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Show More