Bush bids to block XXX domain

THE BUSH administration is apparently moving against plans by ICCAN to set up a .XXX domain which would force porn sites to be in a particular part of the net.

Those in favour of the plan say that it will make it easier for parents to block kids access to Interweb sites that they do not think they should be looking at.

However, according to Cnet, Michael Gallagher, assistant secretary at the Commerce Department, has asked for a hold to be placed on the idea.

It says that it has received 6,000 letters and e-mails from individuals expressing concern about the impact of pornography on families and children.

ICANN has already approved the idea and the move has put it in a slightly difficult position, particularly as it is fighting off claims that the US government should not intervene too much in its doings.

If it backs down, ICANN could be perceived as bowing to political interference - but if not, it could alienate government officials when it needs them most to fight off UN attempts to take them over.

The pressure is coming from right wing Christian conservative groups like the Family Research Council, which fears that "pornographers will be given even more opportunities to "flood our homes, libraries and society with pornography through the .xxx domain".

Odd though, 6,000 people writing letters in a country of 295,734,134 does not seem that many. Ironically the .XXX idea was meant to prevent kids accidentally stumbling across porn while researching Bible studies on the net, like teens do.

More here. µ