ICANN’s board of directors is apparently worried about the rise of blockchain-based alt-roots. Its Board Technical Committee voted in May to make blockchain a permanent agenda item going forward, according to just-published minutes. “After discussion, the Committee decided to have a standing topic on the agenda to address Blockchain Names,” the minutes read. The minutes [...] Continue reading →

The .gdn gTLD registry, Navigation-information systems, is facing more trouble from ICANN Compliance, but this time it’s because its largest registrar has got itself suspended for non-payment of fees. ICANN has suspended the accreditation of Dubai-based registrar Intracom for failing to cure an April breach notice demanding money, not implementing an RDAP service, not escrowing [...] Continue reading →

The next round of new gTLDs is getting real. ICANN has selected a communications firm to promote the next round ahead of its launch, and authorized a wedge of cash to pay for it, according to a resolution of the board of directors. The resolution does not name the firm or the exact amount of [...] Continue reading →

What is it with domain name companies and their terrible brands? Donuts is now Identity Digital Inc, the company said today, with the Donuts and Afilias brands being retired. The new name was chosen “to reflect better the commitment to helping customers find, grow and protect their authentic digital identities” the company said in a [...] Continue reading →

The CEO of domain broker VPN.com is threatening to sue an online safety advocacy group after a report was published alleging the company trades in names that could be used for illegal activity. Michael Gargiulo said he will take action against the Digital Citizens Alliance unless it removes a report that claimed one of the [...] Continue reading →

Alt-root provider Unstoppable Domains has inked another partnership with a city that already has its own gTLD in the authoritative root. The blockchain domains company said it has linked up with the City of Miami’s Venture Miami project, which encourages tech investment in Miami, to offer $50 in Unstoppable’s alternative domains to anyone attending Miami [...] Continue reading →

Dynadot took the drastic move of turning off its own web site last week after noticing an apparent security breach. The registrar also reset all of its customers’ passwords, acknowledging the pair of moves were “extremely inconvenient”. It’s not clear from the company’s statement whether there really had been an attack or whether it overreacted [...] Continue reading →