Verisign can now restrict the registration of domain names under .com and .net
Verisign, the registry for .com and .net, has received approval from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for a ‘Verification Code Extension’ system which allows the company to restrict who can and cannot register domain names under .com and .net in various countries. As explained by DomainIncite, the system enables Verisign to stop domains registered via selected registrars from resolving, unless the registrant’s identity has been verified (via a verification code that needs to accompany the registration of a domain name). These codes are distributed to affected registrars by verification service providers (nor Verisign itself. The system seems to have been used in China, allowing Verisign to obtain approval from the government in order to operate within the country.
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