Category: Domain Blocking and Seizures

The Changing Landscape of Copyright and Domain Seizure Battles

The intersection of copyright enforcement and domain seizure has become one of the most contentious battlegrounds in internet governance. As digital media consumption continues to evolve, so too do the tactics used by copyright holders, governments, and technology companies to combat online piracy and intellectual property infringement. The growing reliance on domain seizures as an…

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Understanding the Role of Registrars in Enforcing Domain Seizures

Domain registrars serve as the backbone of internet infrastructure, acting as intermediaries between users and the domain name system. While their primary function is to provide individuals and organizations with domain registration services, they also play a crucial role in enforcing legal and regulatory actions, including domain seizures. As the internet continues to evolve, governments,…

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The Importance of Transparency Reports in Domain Seizure Cases

The growing use of domain seizures as a regulatory and enforcement tool has raised critical questions about accountability, due process, and internet governance. Governments, law enforcement agencies, and private entities frequently request domain takedowns and seizures, often citing national security, copyright enforcement, or cybercrime prevention as justification. However, without clear oversight, these actions can lead…

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Exploring the Link Between Domain Reputation and Blacklisting

The reputation of a domain name plays a crucial role in determining its accessibility, trustworthiness, and functionality across the internet. Domain reputation is an evolving metric used by internet service providers, email security platforms, search engines, and cybersecurity firms to assess whether a domain is likely to be associated with spam, phishing, malware distribution, or…

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A Closer Look at RBL Real-time Blackhole List Services

Real-time Blackhole List services play a crucial role in maintaining internet security by identifying and blocking domains and IP addresses associated with spam, malware distribution, phishing attacks, and other malicious activities. These services operate as dynamic, constantly updated databases that organizations, internet service providers, and email administrators use to filter out potentially harmful traffic before…

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Community-Driven Alternatives to Centralized DNS Censorship

The centralized nature of the Domain Name System has long been a point of contention for internet freedom advocates. While DNS serves as the backbone of internet navigation, allowing users to access websites by translating domain names into IP addresses, it is also vulnerable to control by governments, corporations, and other powerful entities. Centralized DNS…

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Domain Blockade in Wartime Historical and Contemporary Examples

The use of domain blockades in wartime has evolved alongside the internet’s role in modern conflict, serving as a tool for governments and military forces to control information flow, disrupt enemy communications, and enforce economic sanctions. As conflicts have increasingly extended into the digital sphere, domain seizures and access restrictions have become a crucial element…

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Facial Recognition on the Domain Level An Emerging Trend

The integration of facial recognition technology into various aspects of the internet has raised significant questions about privacy, security, and control over personal data. While facial recognition has traditionally been associated with physical security systems, government surveillance, and personal device authentication, an emerging trend suggests that it may soon be leveraged at the domain level.…

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Multi-Stakeholder Involvement Who Decides on Domain Blocks

The decision to block a domain name is rarely a straightforward process, as it involves multiple stakeholders with competing interests, legal frameworks, and technical considerations. Governments, internet service providers, domain registrars, international organizations, technology companies, and civil society groups all play a role in determining when and how domain blocks are implemented. Each of these…

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Challenges of Oversight Holding Authorities Accountable for Domain Takedowns

The power to take down a domain name carries significant implications for free speech, access to information, and the integrity of online businesses. When authorities order domain takedowns, they effectively remove entire websites from public visibility, disrupting communications, commerce, and activism. While some takedowns are justified—targeting illegal activities such as fraud, child exploitation, or phishing—many…

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