Nominet opens up domain closure consultation

Nominet has opened up a debate on whether it should be obliged to cut off websites connected with illegal activity.

Under current terms and conditions, Nominet has no such obligation but the registrar is looking for input on whether it should be forced to suspend illicit websites.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) put in a request to Nominet last year to bring about the change.

Nominet subsequently announced an issue group to discuss a possible change to its terms and conditions, and stakeholders showed plenty of interest in taking part.

Anyone wanting to participate now has until 23 February to apply and it is expected that the issue group will be selected by 2 March.

The group will then meet later that month after members have been sent an independent summary covering the issue.

Elsewhere, Nominet said it is looking for input over what to do with expired domains.

People wishing to comment on the topic have until 2 March to do so.

"We'd encourage anyone that wants to be involved in the process to get in touch and have their say," said Eleanor Bradley, director of operations at Nominet.

"We want to gather the broadest range of feedback possible across all matters of .uk policy and feed it into our policy development process."