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The .XXX suffix came into effect earlier this year when US quango ICANN granted its addition to the list which already includes .com .co.uk and .net etc. You might not think that the birth of the .XXX domain suffix has anything to do with you, but as a porn fan it most certainly does.

Supporters of the move claim that the .XXX suffix increases the level of safety for minors on the internet, which is something we can all certainly appreciate.

But are there not already such systems of filtering in place? Why do we need this added level of marking to ensure that parents do their jobs of protecting their kids?

Here is my argument and opinions on the matter, and I hope that it might persuade you to consider your support or refusal of the .XXX suffix system.

• Protecting Minors. It goes without saying that all responsible adults working in the industry want to help prevent children from accessing their content on-line. But this can already be done by implementing some very basic software and even simply monitoring the use of the internet in the home. Why is it the responsibility of the global community to restrict our own personal freedoms because some parents either do not understand this technology or are too lazy to enforce these rules in their home? I do not have children, but I would not expect the world to change to make my job of raising my child as easy as possible. It is the responsibility of the parent to monitor their child, and asking the rest of the Human race to change their rights and freedoms to make it as easy as possible is simply not acceptable.

• The Cost. An adult .XXX domain costs in the region of $70, far higher than any other existing suffix. Why is this? Quite simply it is profiteering, and some very greedy people saw an opportunity to make a lot of money by introducing this suffix. It has little to do with streamlining the Internet or protecting kids from porn, and more to do with some gaining a few $m.

• Access Control. One company, ICM Registry, will effectively become the landlord of the digital Red Light district. They will be monitoring every adult site using the .XXX domain and they say they will “promote fair payment practices”. Since when is it the right of a private company to meddle in the pricing and payment options of another business? The freedom of the Internet relies on the diversity of the landscape. Allowing one business to control access to an entire industry is dangerous and threatens the very basic principle of Internet freedom.

• Freedom. India and Saudi Arabia have already stated that they will actively block all .XXX domains in their country. And they certainly won’t be the last. It goes without saying that China will follow, along with many religious and dictatorial regimes. But you’re thinking this still doesn’t bother you because you live in a free country, right? Wrong. Allowing the .XXX suffix allows network operators to block all adult content using the suffix. From service providers to local network administrators, they can all switch off access at the flick of a button.Service providers can then filter content and charge additional fees for access to it. Over zealous communications companies can restrict access and demand that you opt-in (just as O2 have done on the UK mobile network). Consider the next time you’re staying at a hotel and having to ask reception for access, or finding that it simply isn’t an option. Or perhaps your service provider bows to religious pressure groups and blocks .XXX altogether?

Allowing or supporting the use of .XXX is, in my opinion, simply allowing a few to become very rich from a needless change which will certainly affect your rights and freedoms as an adult to view the content you would like to view. It makes absolutely no sense to support the .XXX suffix, unless you intend to use it to limit the freedoms of others, or make a large profit.

You can keep track of this story and assist in the battle against this nonsense by supporting the Free Speech Coalition.

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