So a couple days ago I wrote a post about Covid names and how people feel about those who register them. The conversation got a tad nasty on both sides.
So now DAN.com (an advertiser here) tweeted today they are removing Coronavirus/Covid-19 from their platform.
Starting from today, we will be removing all Corona Virus related domains from https://t.co/vpmKVzih2D.
We’re seeing astronomical high prices being asked for these domains and find that unethical and unacceptable.
— DAN.COM (@Undeveloped) March 26, 2020
The conversation back and forth is getting quite heated, where some wonder why other names they feel should be donated are not being removed. Snoopy mentioned that Childporn.se is listed.
This will become a slippery slope, where some will seek other names removed and call for their donation.
Namecheap is also not allowing registrations at their registrar, The Verge reported:
Domain registrar Namecheap on Wednesday said it would no longer be accepting any new domain applications including the words “coronavirus,” “covid,” and “vaccine,” among other versions of words and phrases alluding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Los Angeles-based company says the measure is to prevent abuse and fraud from sites trying to hawk fake products and misinformation and otherwise capitalize on the ongoing global health crisis.
So what about child porn, substance abuse names, health conditions, names that evoke violence or rape?
Is this the beginning of marketplaces and registrars censoring their clients actions?
Will you be more likely to leave a marketplace or registrar for these actions?
They will have to remove other names to stay consistent. You cannot have hardcore porn and remove a vaccine name.
Could be the beginning of something big. Registrars cannot justify me regging a drug related name or a pro tobacco name ( a product that has harmed more than corona ever will).
I don’t use namecheap never liked them or their smug ceo so it means little to me. If a registrar I liked started doing this selectively I would close my account.
GoDaddy has also removed Covid-19 domains from GoDaddy Auctions and Afternic.
But you’re in luck, they will still sell you their domains PandemicOutbreak.com – for $4,999 – and BirdFluPandemic.net – for $1,999 – at their private domain sales website NameFind.com (as well as GDA and Afternic).
They also own AvianFlu.com, which just says “Request Price” at NameFind and has a minimum bid of $32,500 at GDA and Afternic.
Very slippery, I say this as an outsider owning zero controversial type names.
One wonders if this could be used later down the line for udrp’s or other regulatory commissions?
This is probably not good for domain owners.
This has more to do with the current pandemic and the scams surfacing and less with these domain names.
Pandemic, scams, attorney general, poor taste and bad PR (especially during a recession) is a mix everyone wants to avoid.