domains NameCheap Terminating Services to Russian Customers

[bhartzer]

Namecheap is apparently terminating services to Russian customers:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1497665532081889287

Namecheap is asking that customers from Russia transfer their domain names to another registrar by March 6, 2022:

"Unfortunately, due to the Russian regime's war crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine, we will no longer be providing services to users registered in Russia. While we sympathize that this war may not affect your own views or opinion on the matter, the fact is, your authoritarian government is committing human rights abuses and engaging in war crimes so this is a policy decision we have made and will stand by.

If you hold any top-level domains with us, we ask that you transfer them to another provider by March 6, 2022. "

 

[wwwulff]

They are losing billions and billions and having their assets seized like real estate, yachts, etc.

Germans Seize Russian Billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s Mega-Yacht​

https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacom...-alisher-usmanovs-mega-yacht/?sh=3fe8024252dd

 

[DmitrySV]

I've just got the following info from other forum:

Namecheap has started to block the transfer of domains to other registrars.

Basically they just stopped sending AUTH code. And without the code it is impossible to transfer the domain. They also turned off support. It is not clear whether those domains that are already in the process of being transferred will be released.

In general, chaos and chaos. Apparently, they did not appreciate the scale of the exodus and are now trying to stop the exodus of users by any means.

Any confirmations of the above? Personally I do not hold any domains with them so can not check.

source: https://www.linux.org.ru/news/internet/16804853?cid=16807135

 

[bmugford]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1499123882296582149

 

[bmugford]

I've just got the following info from other forum:

Namecheap has started to block the transfer of domains to other registrars.

Basically they just stopped sending AUTH code. And without the code it is impossible to transfer the domain. They also turned off support. It is not clear whether those domains that are already in the process of being transferred will be released.

In general, chaos and chaos. Apparently, they did not appreciate the scale of the exodus and are now trying to stop the exodus of users by any means.

Any confirmations of the above? Personally I do not hold any domains with them so can not check.

source: https://www.linux.org.ru/news/internet/16804853?cid=16807135

I have no idea about that, but if transfers are being blocked I suggest submitting a complaint to ICANN here -
https://icannportal.force.com/compliance/s/transfer

Brad

 

[Clover]

Namecheap will offer “free anonymous domain registration and free web hosting” to anti-war protest web sites based in Russia or Belarus.

The registrar said in a statement today that the move is in response to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s call for war protests in Russia.

The offer modifies the company’s hard-line position from earlier in the week, in which it banned Russians altogether from its services and gave registrants there a week to get out.

Namecheap’s English-language customer service is based in Ukraine, including in cities under heavy bombardment this week.

Russians interested in the free hosting offer are asked to contact customer service for details.

https://domainincite.com/27588-name...ap-offers-free-services-to-russian-dissidents

 

[Sutruk]

St. Petersburg Tonight: Dozens of police detentions after anti-war protest. A striking number of young people among the protesters
There are said to have been up to 500 arrests, says the person who made the video. The charge is probably "illegal mass gathering".

Those are brave russians. If every russian would go to the street and claim against Putin's war, then things could change there.
But Russia is a dictatorship where people are jailed just for going to the street and protest against war. Even an old woman, a survivor of the Nazi siege of St. Petersburg has been arrested for protesting against Putin's war.
Only if millions of russians go to the street and claim against Putin could change something there. And even doing that it would be difficult to kick out the dictator. Russian dictators have been famous for mass killing their own people (Lenin, Stalin, etc).

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

Namecheap has started to block the transfer of domains to other registrars.

Basically they just stopped sending AUTH code. And without the code it is impossible to transfer the domain. They also turned off support. It is not clear whether those domains that are already in the process of being transferred will be released.

Isn't the authorization code already in the listings?
GoDaddy has the transfer authorization codes readily available, even without asking for one. It's a feature you click on when exporting a list of your domains. Is that not the case with NameCheap?

 

[Clover]

Isn't the authorization code already in the listings?
GoDaddy has the transfer authorization codes readily available, even without asking for one. It's a feature you click on when exporting a list of your domains. Is that not the case with NameCheap?

No, you go into the domain management > transfers > click the "Auth code" button, and you will get a pop up to type in your password, then they email the auth code.

I just received two of mine, then no more.

Contacted customer support via ticket, got an email back to list the domains I want an auth code for, haven't heard back in over 15 min.

Sucks, because those weren't the only domains I'm gonna want an auth code for by tomorrow.

I still love NameCheap and support them, I don't agree with their decision earlier this week but they seem to have went back on that, I'm guessing a lot of their support team is Ukrainian because it isn't nearly as effective as it was before all this happened.

#PrayForNameCheap

 

[Future Sensors]

When you start making moves like that, it becomes a massive slippery slope.

Agree. For some background: "ITU vs ICANN" a while ago.

 

[bmugford]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1499221398635814912

 

[Lox]

... take time to read ... 24p pdf attached

(regarding NC move: By clicking the "Accept" button, or by using the NC Service, you agree to all terms and conditions) - Always read the Terms of Service

Regarding ICANN's RAA / contract : You must comply with the terms and conditions posted by your Registrar, including applicable policies from your Registrar, the Registry and ICANN. read more

Regards

 

[BRANDERX]

You don't have to take a weapon against Putin. Just go to streets and claim against the war. The world is only hoping to see you doing that.
Putin won't be able to jail 146 million russians. He must leave if you do that.
You are under a dictatorship, with fake elections and all the media controlled by Putin. Years feeding the dictator that now has exploded invading and killing your brothers in Ukraine, just because of his dementia willing to unify the Soviet Empire.
Come on guys, go to the streets, stop your dictator, stop the war, and the whole world will thank you for that.

While I understand such a post is made out of concern for Ukraine, I must say & with all due respect, it's fantasy & not very helpful. That is exactly what was said about Asad's regime when it all started, "regime change, dictator, he must leave, go to the streets, sanctions like no other" & now he is in his palace with millions of displaced Syrians. & that's only Asad, not Putin.

This is not the time for regime change, nor is it the time to fix Russia's election system. It's time for diplomacy, negotiations to stop the bloodshed, & the threat of a new world war, a nuclear one. Sanctions won't stop him, only negotiations. imo

 

[boker]

While I understand such a post is made out of concern for Ukraine, I must say & with all due respect, it's fantasy & not very helpful. That is exactly what was said about Asad's regime when it all started, "regime change, dictator, he must leave, go to the streets, sanctions like no other" & now he is in his palace with millions of displaced Syrians. & that's only Asad, not Putin.

This is not the time for regime change, nor is it the time to fix Russia's election system. It's time for diplomacy, negotiations to stop the bloodshed, & the threat of a new world war, a nuclear one. Sanctions won't stop him, only negotiations. imo

Coming from a country with an ex communist country, with a regime even worst than Putin, I can tell you that it's possible and it's worth it. Of course, at the beginning it's hard, but after that, nothing can bring you back. Asad is there becase of Putin, this conflict it's about Putin. Ukraine will never be the same again, because they know how freedom feels, no matter how many of them Putin will kill.

 

[karmaco]

I am not Russian and don’t appreciate the political theater this thread has devolved into. None of this crap has anything to do with domains.

Tonight I asked for about a dozen codes got sent 4 so no one specifically is being targeted about not getting codes. I would not be surprised if someone is doing revenge on NameCheap after the announcement.

Support has been notified hope others are reporting issues getting codes as well.

 

[tonyk2000]

As per ICANN Registrar Accreditation Agreement,

3.7.2 Registrar shall abide by applicable laws and governmental regulations

Acording to internic.net, there are three accredited registrars in Ukraine:

Center of Ukrainian Internet Names (UKRNAMES)
Hosting Ukraine LLC
Internet Invest, Ltd.

So, NameCheap is not listed as UA-based registrar. It may well be that there are appropriate governmental regulations in Ukraine, preventing Ukraine-based businesses from serving Russian citizens or residents at this time, but NameCheap is not UA-based business for the purposes of their ICANN accreditation.

NameCheap, even though it likely has enough connections with Ukraine, elected to incorporate in U.S.

So, what are the related "laws and governmental regulations" in U.S.?

Correct me if I am wrong, but U.S. did not yet "ban" ordinary Russian citizens or legal entities.

It is worth mentioning that, according to ycombinator thread, NameCheap also emailed a request to leave to somebody from Lithuania (unrealted country, ex-USSR) with Russian-sounding name.

I performed some searches and found the following:

U.S. Code prohibits discrimination against persons based on age, disability, gender, race, national origin, and religion (among other things) in a number of settings - including education, employment, public accommodations, federal services, and more

Source: findlaw

Yeah, we've seen cases where registrars asked a particular website or domain to leave (such as GoDaddy vs dailystormer or whatever it was called...). Which, indeed, indicates that the registrar - private entity - can select customers. There is no obligation for a private entity to serve each and every customer. Common sense. On the other hand, there are anti-discrimination laws in U.S.

So, the question to be answered: can current NameCheap actions be considered as a "discrimination against persons based on race / national origin" ?

 

[boker]

As per ICANN Registrar Accreditation Agreement,

3.7.2 Registrar shall abide by applicable laws and governmental regulations

Acording to internic.net, there are three accredited registrars in Ukraine:

Center of Ukrainian Internet Names (UKRNAMES)
Hosting Ukraine LLC
Internet Invest, Ltd.

So, NameCheap is not listed as UA-based registrar. It may well that there are appropriate governmental regulations in Ukraine, preventing Ukraine-based businesses from serving Russian citizens or residents at this time, but NameCheap is not UA-based business for the purposes of their ICANN accreditation.

NameCheap, even though it likely has enough connections with Ukraine, elected to incorporate in U.S.

So, what are the related "laws and governmental regulations" in U.S.?

Correct me if I am wrong, but U.S. did not yet "ban" ordinary Russian citizens or legal entities.

It is worth mentioning that, according to ycombinator thread, NameCheap also emailed a request to leave to somebody from Lithuania (unrealted country, ex-USSR) with Russian-sounding name.

I performed some searches and found the following:

U.S. Code prohibits discrimination against persons based on age, disability, gender, race, national origin, and
religion (among other things) in a number of settings - including education, employment, public accommodations, federal services, and more

Source: findlaw

Yeah, we've seen cases where registrars asked a particular website or domain to leave (such as GoDaddy vs dailystormer or whatever it was called...). Which, indeed, indicates that the registrar - private entity - can select customers. There is no obligation for a private entity to serve each and every customer. Common sense, On the other hand, there are anti-discriminational laws in U.S.

So, the question to be answered: can current NameCheap actions be considered as a "discrimination against persons based on race / national origin" ?

Amazon selling/delivering to some european countries and not to others it's not the same? Paypal dealing with some countries and not others it's not the same? UK and Spain banning ships if they have any connection to Russia, US companies dealing in South Korea, but not North, selling stuff in UAE, but not Iran...some of this stuff happen for tens of years, so why the question just now? I don't know in US, but in Europe I have the right to choose the one's with who I deal. Also, try to enter Israel, after you visited recently Iran or the other way around, see what will happen. Also, when Germany was fighting US, you should have tried to visit Germany as an american. Or try to visit Syria now, as an american, it's discrimination? We are all humans and we have our sympathies and antipathies.

 

[bmugford]

Amazon selling/delivering to some european countries and not to others it's not the same? Paypal dealing with some countries and not others it's not the same? UK and Spain banning ships if they have any connection to Russia, US companies dealing in South Korea, but not North, selling stuff in UAE, but not Iran...some of this stuff happen for tens of years, so why the question just now? I don't know in US, but in Europe I have the right to choose the one's with who I deal. Also, try to enter Israel, after you visited recently Iran or the other way around, see what will happen.

Private businesses can largely decide to do business with who they want, unless it is protected by law.
A business might choose to not do business with someone for any number of reasons.

With that said though, domains are a little different. All the registrars operate under contracts with ICANN as well as other registries.

The Amazon.com comparison is relevant, but not exactly the same. In this case you could easily block new purchases, the problem is really existing registrations. They are potentially subject to ICANN and/or other policies.

Outside policies, is it reasonable to demand someone transfers domains in a limited period of time? That is the main question IMO.

If you own many domains you might not have the funds to do it, and with sanctions you might not even have the physical access to do it.

That is why I wanted the answer from NameCheap about what they planned to do. They confirmed they would not delete domains, so I assume they might put them into some type of suspended status until they are transferred.

I think ICANN should open some type of registrar of last resort for situations like this, that could temporarily hold domains with valid registration left. It would create a neutral option for domains to exist, if needed.

Brad

 

[tonyk2000]

we have our sympathies and antipathies

Very true. ICANN accreditation agreement does not refer to sympathies though.

 

[boker]

Private businesses can largely decide to do business with who they want, unless it is protected by law.
A business might choose to not do business with someone for any number of reasons.

With that said though, domains are a little different. All the registrars operate under contracts with ICANN as well as other registries.

The Amazon.com comparison is relevant, but not exactly the same. In this case you could easily block new purchases, the problem is really existing registrations. They are potentially subject to ICANN and or other policies.

Outside policies, is it reasonable to demand someone transfers domains in a limited period of time? That is the main question IMO.

If you own many domains you might not have the funds to do it, and with sanctions you might not even have the physical access to do it.

That is why I wanted the answer from NameCheap about what they planned to do. They confirmed they would not delete domains, so I assume they might put them into some type of suspended status until they are transferred.

I think ICANN should open some type of registrar of last resort for situations like this, that could temporarily hold domains with valid registration left. It would create a neutral option for domains to exist, if needed.

Brad

This is what I was saying, they need to allow a reasonable time frame, but in the end, is their choice.

Very true. ICANN accreditation agreement does not refer to sympathies though.

Where does Icann says that you are not allowed to stop selling in particular countries or that you can't drop a cctld? As far as I know, ICANN doesn't even have any power over cctlds. It's my business, my choice.

 

[bmugford]

This is what I was saying, they need to allow a reasonable time frame, but in the end, is their choice.

Where does Icann says that you are not allowed to stop selling in particular countries or that you can't drop a cctld? As far as I know, ICANN doesn't even have any power over cctlds. It's my business, my choice.

I don't think it does. I don't really have a problem with registrars not doing (new) business.
Existing registrations are the tricky part.

Some registrars not doing business is not an issue, but every registrar not doing business would be.

Imagine if every registrar cut off access to a country. You would be in a situation where you are allowed to own a domain, but no registrar would allow you to register it.

That is the type of situation where a neutral ICANN registrar of last resort would make sense. It would not force a business to deal with a customer, but still allow the registration to exist.

Brad

 

[tonyk2000]

Where does Icann says that you are not allowed to stop selling in particular countries or that you can't drop a cctld? As far as I know, ICANN doesn't even have any power over cctlds. It's my business, my choice.

Correct. GoogleDomains serves just a dozen or so countries, no issues. And, indeed, ICANN has nothing to do with CC TLDs. The issue is whether NameCheap has the legal right to cancel/block/ask_to_move a number of existing GTLD registrations based on a combination of their ICANN accreditation agreement + their local (U.S.) laws /including but not limited to anti-discrimiation laws of their country of incorporation/?

Extra reference:

3.1 Obligations to Provide Registrar Services. During the Term of this Agreement, Registrar agrees that it will operate as a registrar for one or more gTLDs in accordance with this Agreement.

ICANN accreditation agreement refers to "obligations" above, not to personal preferences....

 

[boker]

I don't think it does. I don't really have a problem with registrars not doing (new) business.
Existing registrations are the tricky part.

Some registrars not doing business is not an issue, but every registrar not doing business would be.

Imagine if every registrar cut off access to a country. You would be in a situation where you are allowed to own a domain, but no registrar would allow you to register it.

That is the type of situation where a neutral ICANN registrar of last resort would make sense. It would not force a business to deal with a customer, but still allow the registration to exist.

Brad

It's true, but ICANN it's not stopping registrars and there are registrars in 99% of the countries, so if 99% would cut access, even your own country registrars, than something is really wrong and the neutral registrar would complicate things even more.

 

[bmugford]

It's true, but ICANN it's not stopping registrars and there are registrars in 99% of the countries, so if 99% would cut access, even your own country registrars, than something is really wrong and the neutral registrar would complicate things even more.

I agree. In general if no one wants to do business with you, the problem is probably you.

It was just a thought experiment really.

If one business wants to cut off access, fine.
If several want to, fine.
If every one wants to that is an issue.

Brad

 

[boker]

Correct. GoogleDomains serves just a dozen or so countries, no issues. And, indeed, ICANN has nothing to do with CC TLDs. The issue is whether NameCheap has the right to cancel/block/ask_to_move a number of existing GTLD registrations based on a combination of their ICANN accreditation agreement + their local (U.S.) laws /including but not limited to anti-discrimiation laws of their country of incorporation/?

Extra reference:

3.1 Obligations to Provide Registrar Services. During the Term of this Agreement, Registrar agrees that it will operate as a registrar for one or more gTLDs in accordance with this Agreement.

ICANN accreditation agreement refers to "obligations" above, not to personal preferences....

Yes, but it's every registrars choice, one ca drop .com and keep only a cctld, no big issue. Also, there are registrars from a particular country who are accepting customers from that country only, not a big deal.

 

[Armageddon]

Again want to say...who want my help in keep names special the domains can't be transfered out at this point ( 60 days rule lock ) on Namecheap & after a better solution will be on table or possibility to move domains to another registrat...i am glad to help
So contact me to establish details
Kind regards