Fed Up With ICANN, Chinese to Launch Alternate Internet

SHANGHAI — China The Chinese government announced the radical step of adjusting the country’s domain name system with four country-code Top-Level Domains (TLDs), three of which will use Chinese characters.

As of March 1, .CN will be the only English-language TLD used in the Chinese system, alongside the Chinese characters for .china, .com and .net.

The policy strikes a direct blow at ICANN and the U.S. continued dominance over international issues of Internet governance. Specifically, Internet users will no longer have to surf the web via servers under the management of ICANN.

“In other words, the Chinese Internet becomes a reality tomorrow,” Dr. Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, said. “With it, the rules of the game may change, as 110 million Internet users will suddenly have access to a competing .com.”

While the announcement was abrupt, China’s frustration with ICANN and the U.S. is nothing new.

Many delegates have complained that California-based ICANN, under authority of the U.S. Commerce Department, unfairly dominates the website addressing system through its control of the Internet’s root servers.

Countries like China, Iran, Cuba, Brazil, Denmark and many others have argued that the U.S. has an unfair influence over the Internet and that control of the web should be shared more equally with the rest of the world.

For it’s part, the U.S. has met all criticism with loud proclamations that it does not intend to cede authority or make concessions any time soon. In fact, there has been no credible threat to the U.S. authority because no other country has stepped up to create an alternate root.

”This week's announcement certainly doesn’t mark the end of a global interoperable Internet,” Geist said. “It does move one step further toward that path since, in Internet governance terms, the credible threat is now real.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Swedish Government Proposes Ban on Purchasing 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Swedish government has asked the country’s Parliament to amend Swedish law so that current laws against purchasing sexual services would also apply to acts performed remotely by cammers, streamers and custom content creators.

PASS Announces New Membership Program for All Adult Industry Workers

Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS) has announced a new membership program for all sectors of the adult industry.

Jewelz Blu, Stripchat to Host XSIV Magazine Launch Party

2025 XMAs winner Jewelz Blu will host an invite-only launch party for the Music issue of XSIV Magazine at Stripchat XSIV House on April 19.

Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.

ASGMax Debuts 'Roleplay' AI Chat Feature

Alpha Studio Group (ASG) has introduced the ASGmax Roleplay AI chat feature.

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

Show More