Public Interest Registry (PIR) is under scrutiny as a researcher uncovers a surge of gambling-related domains within its .ngo and .ong zones. These domains, originally intended for non-governmental organizations, are now being exploited for illicit activities.
PIR, renowned for managing the .org domain, introduced .ngo and .ong TLDs in the 2012 expansion of domain options. Unlike .org, these extensions were designated exclusively for NGOs. However, researcher Jim Yan’s investigation revealed close to 500 domains in these zones linked to gambling, such as bet365 .ngo and 333win .ong.
Initially, PIR mandated a verification process for organizations seeking to use .ngo and .ong domains. This procedure changed in 2020 to a self-certification model, where registrants are no longer required to provide documentation upfront. However, PIR retains the authority to suspend domains that violate eligibility criteria.
The implementation of self-certification varies across registrars. For example, Namecheap directs registrants to PIR’s registration terms, while GoDaddy’s process lacks detailed inquiries into domain usage intentions or zone restrictions.
Despite the relatively small number of flagged gambling domains, the total active domains in the .ngo/.ong zones are limited to around 10,000. Therefore, these illicit registrations constitute a notable portion of the overall domain landscape.
In response to these findings, PIR affirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the .ngo/.ong space, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the mission to support nonprofit and civil society organizations globally. The registry is exploring enhanced measures to scrutinize new registrations for compliance.
While the article does not specify the audit schedule, certain flagged domains have been active for over a year, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current oversight mechanisms.
PIR has demonstrated a proactive stance against domain abuse by establishing the DNS Abuse Institute, now known as NetBeacon Institute, to address security and trust issues within the DNS ecosystem.
Enforcing restrictions on new TLDs poses challenges for many registries, as registrars may resist pre-registration verification requirements due to increased registration complexities. To streamline adoption, some registries, including PIR, have shifted towards post-registration verification or audit processes.
Regulatory efforts like these are crucial to maintaining the credibility and purpose of domain extensions, particularly those designated for specific sectors like NGOs. The domain industry continues to evolve, requiring ongoing vigilance and adaptation to address emerging threats and ensure the integrity of the online space.
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