On 8/6/21 7:59 am, ANU Media wrote:
Child sexual abuse content has flourished unabated on Australia’s
Cocos Keeling Islands’ top-level internet domain and must be
stopped, according to experts.
Writing in Policy Forum
<https://anu.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=73b3c4bf45063d7aa04d62036&id=5ab573a33f&e=fa573f8177>,
researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) argued
the Cocos Islands’ top level domain, .cc, is rife with child sexual
abuse material and they are calling for the government to regulate or
reclaim the domain under .au.
"The Internet Watch Foundation ranked .cc as the 10-most abused top
level domain for hosting child sexual abuse material in 2019 and it's
not the first time it's been in the top 10," ANU PhD researcher
Samuel Bashfield said.
"Australia should not let the misuse of .cc stand, and it should hold
the domain and its other territory domains to the same high standards as
.au.”
In the early 90s top level domains such as .au and .uk were created for
each country and dependent territory.
In Australia, top level domains were created for its territories – .cx
for Christmas Island, .hm for the Heard and McDonald Islands, .nf for
Norfolk Island, and .cc for Cocos Islands.
Several of these domains have not been regulated by the Australian
government and are controlled by private interests. Experts
say the commercial control is the underlying reason the government
doesn't see it as a responsibility.
"Australia must hold .cc and its other territory top level domains to
the same high standards as .au," ANU Lecturer James Mortensen said.
"Anyone can buy a .cc address, often for a much lower price than other
domains.
"The lack of government oversight has likely contributed to a focus on
making the domain profitable, rather than accountable.
"As the government responsible for the Cocos Islands, the Australian
Government must take control of the .cc domain and ensure it is no
longer a haven for child sexual abuse material."
The researchers say the Department of Infrastructure, the Australian
Communications and Media Authority and the Department of Home Affairs
could help intervene.
"Australia territory domains need increased regulation of the disparate
domain administrators, or even formal redelegation of these domains to
.au," Mr Bashfield said.
"By removing platforms for this material, the Australian Government will
be doing its part to limit the reach of abusive content."
Dr Mortensen said that .cc's current arrangement has allowed criminal
activity to flourish, calling Australia’s commitment to fighting child
exploitation into question and "damaging the reputation of the Cocos
Islands".
"Australia’s Cocos Keeling Islands do not need to be synonymous with
child sexual abuse and scams," he said. ...
--
Tom Worthington, MEd FHEA FACS CP IP3P http://www.tomw.net.au
+61(0)419496150
TomW Communications Pty Ltd. PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Prof. Standards Legislation
Honorary Lecturer, Computer Science, Australian National University
https://cecs.anu.edu.au/research/profile/tom-worthington
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