VeriSign's Domain Blocking System: Some Details
A few days ago it became known that the companyVeriSign initiates new domain security systemThe company recently published a brief explanation of this initiative.
It is noteworthy that the new policy for preventing domain violations will only come into effect after changes are made to the terms of the agreement between the administrator and the registrar of domain names in the .COM, .NET, and .NAME zones.
The new delegation suspension rules state that delegation, registration, hosting, and ownership changes for any domain may be suspended or terminated in a number of cases.
Such cases include the following: protecting the integrity, security, and stability of the DNS domain name system; enforcing court orders, laws, regulations, or requirements imposed by governments, executive bodies, or any governmental organizations, with the goal of exempting VeriSign and its affiliates (partners) from administrative and criminal liability for domain name violations. Some disputes have arisen from provisions stating that domain delegations may be suspended to protect against any type of malware that could disrupt the functioning of the Internet.
Another controversial clause was the one that gives VeriSign the right to block any domain upon "order" from a government or government organization. In this case, a court order to block a domain is unnecessary. This would jeopardize the operation of various undesirable resources, such as Wikileaks, as this rule is open to abuse.
In addition, quasi-governmental organizations—legal entities that conduct commercial activities on behalf of the government—can demand that a domain be closed, according to the new conditions.
Attempts to block domains due to copyright infringement are practically a normal occurrence in the US.
Experts note that if the new rules are adopted, domain closures could become widespread, and domain owners will be forced to move to other domain zones.
Experts note that the government may require domain blocking through the registrar, but under different conditions and requirements.
In addition, there must be a mechanism in place that allows the registrar, if a domain has been blocked unfairly, to immediately restore its operation until the domain dispute is finally resolved.
