Category: Domain Blocking and Seizures

The battle over WikiLeaks’ domain access is one of the most significant case studies in the intersection of internet governance, free speech, and state power. Founded by Julian Assange in 2006, WikiLeaks became a global symbol of transparency activism, publishing classified government documents, leaked diplomatic cables, and internal communications from major corporations and political entities.…

The internet was originally envisioned as a decentralized and open network, governed by technical standards that would ensure universal connectivity and accessibility regardless of geography, politics, or ideology. These global internet standards, established by organizations such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Internet Engineering Task Force, and the World Wide Web…

The global marketplace has been transformed by e-commerce, making it easier than ever for consumers to access products from around the world. However, this expansion has also created opportunities for counterfeiters to distribute fake goods through online platforms, taking advantage of unsuspecting buyers and harming legitimate businesses. Counterfeit products not only result in financial losses…

The global nature of the internet has created an ongoing struggle between open access to information and the regulation of content by governments, corporations, and other stakeholders. At the center of this debate are Internet Governance Forums, which serve as critical venues where policymakers, academics, civil society groups, businesses, and technologists discuss issues related to…

The digital era has made intellectual property protection more complex than ever before, particularly in the context of domain names. Businesses, artists, and content creators invest heavily in building recognizable brands, only to find that their names, trademarks, and creative works are being misused or exploited through fraudulent domain registrations. Cybersquatters, counterfeiters, and digital pirates…

Domain fronting has emerged as one of the most effective techniques for evading internet censorship, allowing users to bypass restrictions imposed by governments, internet service providers, and corporate firewalls. By disguising traffic as if it is being sent to a widely trusted domain, domain fronting enables individuals and organizations to communicate freely in regions where…

The stability and resilience of domain infrastructures have never been more crucial than in times of crisis. Whether facing cyberattacks, government-imposed restrictions, natural disasters, or technical failures, organizations, media outlets, businesses, and activists must ensure their online presence remains accessible and operational under all circumstances. Domain redundancy plays a vital role in mitigating disruptions, allowing…

The rise of cryptocurrency exchanges has introduced new complexities into the realm of domain seizures, as governments and regulatory agencies struggle to enforce financial laws in a digital ecosystem that operates beyond traditional borders. As cryptocurrencies continue to disrupt financial systems, law enforcement agencies have increasingly turned to domain takedowns as a tool to regulate…

The Domain Name System serves as the backbone of the internet, translating human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses that allow devices to communicate. However, the system is not immune to manipulation, and two of the most common techniques used to interfere with DNS functionality are DNS spoofing and DNS blocking. While both methods can…

The practice of domain blocking has become a widely used tool for governments, corporations, and internet service providers to restrict access to certain online content. Whether implemented to combat cybercrime, enforce intellectual property laws, or regulate access to prohibited information, domain blocking is often seen as a straightforward solution to controlling the flow of online…