Controversies
WebLock Service
In January, 2014 Network Solutions' marketing department sent an email to customers stating that the company would be automatically enrolling customers in a new security program called WebLock, for an initial charge of $1,850 for the first year and $1,350 each subsequent year. The company claimed the cost offset new security features to protect domains, including registering as a "certified user" and confirmation of configuration changes with those "certified users".
[28]
... To help recapture the costs of maintaining this extra level of security for your account, your credit card will be billed $1,850 for the first year of service on the date your program goes live... After that you will be billed $1,350 on every subsequent year from that date. If you wish to opt out of this program you may do so by calling us at 1-888-642-0265.
Web.com COO Jason Teichman later clarified that the program would actually be opt-in, saying "we did not do a good job in wording that " and "It's not our intention to enroll anyone in a program they don’t want."[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-OptOut-29'][29][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B]Controversy over domain name front running[/B][/SIZE]
For more details on this topic, see [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_front_running']Domain name front running[/URL].
Network Solutions offers a search engine which permits users to find out if a domain name is available for purchase.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] Unregistered domain names entered into this search engine are then speculatively reserved by Network Solutions.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] This "reservation" can be removed by anyone immediately by contacting Network Solutions customer service hotline, or it will automatically unreserve within four days, allowing the domain to be freely registered anywhere. Also, visitors searching for domain names on their website allow the reservation when they click "OK" on the Reservation [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_dialog_box']Confirmation dialog box[/URL]. Clicking "Cancel" will prevent the domain name from being reserved.
On January 8, 2008, Domain Name Wire published a story alleging that Network Solutions practices domain name front running.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] "If you try to register a domain at Network Solutions, but decide not to register it, you won’t be able to register it anywhere else," the article says.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] "Network Solutions registers the domain in its company name with the words 'This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com'."[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] Circle ID reported on January 8, 2008, that Jonathon Nevett, Vice President of Policy at Network Solutions and one of the seven members of the ICANN community who was consulted by the ICANN committee looking at registrar abuse of domain "tasting," as the availability search practice is called,[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLIcanncommittee-31'][31][/URL] had offered a response to the news story stating Network Solutions' policy.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLCircleid-32'][32][/URL] The policy was "a security measure to protect our customers," said Nevett.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLCircleid-32'][32][/URL] "When a customer searches for an available domain name at our website, but decides not to purchase the name immediately after conducting the search," Nevett added, "after the search ends, we will put the domain name on reserve."[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLCircleid-32'][32][/URL] Nevett said that if the domain was "not purchased within 4 days, it will be released back to the registry and will be generally available for registration."[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLFrontrunning-30'][30][/URL] But once a name was supposedly "reserved" for a potential customer, not only was it not available at any less expensive registrar, but the fee charged by Network Solutions went up to $35 instead of the original fee charged of around $10.
[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Westerdal']Jay Westerdal[/URL], one of the seven members of the ICANN community who was consulted by the ICANN committee looking at domain tasting abuse,[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLIcanncommittee-31'][31][/URL] published an article on Domain Tools on January 8, 2008 stating that Network Solutions is exposing the domains to domain tasters.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLWesterdal-33'][33][/URL] The domain tasters "will snipe those domain up milliseconds after Network Solutions deletes them," says Westerdal.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLWesterdal-33'][33][/URL] "It is a deplorable action that Network Solutions would announce potential domain names to the entire world," Westerdal added.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLWesterdal-33'][33][/URL] On January 8, 2008, [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucows']Tucows[/URL], the largest publicly traded domain name registrar, published an article on its company web site titled "Registrar Reputation and Trust" criticizing Network Solutions policy.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLKoole-34'][34][/URL] "Potential Registrants are effectively forced to purchase the domain from Network Solutions for a period of four days at which point the domain is dropped," wrote Tucows employee James Koole.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLKoole-34'][34][/URL] Koole says that Tucows has found a way to address the issue of domain tasting and has policies in place that uphold the rights of Registrants.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLKoole-34'][34][/URL] "Tucows works to prevent domain name tasting by charging our Resellers a monetary fee on domain name registrations that are cancelled within the five-day Add Grace Period (AGP)," Koole said.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLKoole-34'][34][/URL] "Tucows doesn’t use WHOIS query data or search data from our API to front-run domain names," Koole added.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLKoole-34'][34][/URL]
On January 9, 2008, Cnet reported that Network Solutions will soon not register domains when people search for domains from the company's Whois search page, will offer only an "under construction" page for sites that it has reserved, and newly reserved pages won't be linked to the numerical Internet addresses that allow Web browsers to locate the pages.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLChanges-35'][35][/URL] Network Solutions will continue to register domains when people search for domains from the company's home page.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLChanges-35'][35][/URL]
There is evidence that there are parties subscribing to this information which are buying some of these domains within milliseconds of them being de-registered.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLIcanncommittee-31'][31][/URL][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLWesterdal-33'][33][/URL] This occurs for thousands upon thousands of domains, with a certain percentage then eventually being bought by the original party, providing a profit.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLIcanncommittee-31'][31][/URL][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-PCOLWesterdal-33'][33][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B]Publishing non-Public Information[/B][/SIZE]
In September, 2009, Network Solutions began publishing a list of domain name whois searches performed by customers and other service users in the past day.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-36'][36][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B][I]Fitna[/I] controversy[/B][/SIZE]
In March 2008, "Fitnathemovie.com", a website that Dutch politician [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geert_Wilders']Geert Wilders[/URL] had reserved at Network Solutions, was taken offline. Wilders intended to host a film he had created, [I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitna_%28film%29']Fitna[/URL][/I]. At that time, the only page on the site was a picture of the Qur'an accompanied by the text "Geert Wilders presents Fitna" and "Coming soon". Network Solutions' notice stated that they were "investigating whether the site's content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy".[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-bbc-37'][37][/URL] Wilders said the 15-minute film will show how verses from the Qur'an are being used today to incite modern Muslims to behave violently and anti-democratically.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-spectator_interview-38'][38][/URL]
As a result of Network Solutions' decision, "fitnathemovie.com" was not available to the public on the day of the film's release. Wilders expressed his displeasure with Network Solutions for pre-censoring the domain name.[[I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed']citation needed[/URL][/I]]
Network Solutions also came under criticism because although they refused to host Wilders' website,[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-jwatch-39'][39][/URL] they had provided registration services for the [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah']Hezbollah[/URL] domain hizbollah.org.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-40'][40][/URL] In response to these criticisms, Network Solutions agreed that hizbollah.org violated their acceptable use policy and ceased hosting that web site, as well.[[I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed']citation needed[/URL][/I]]
Due to heavy media coverage, many people were aware of the film's existence and the controversy surrounding its domain name. Some were outraged by the actions of Network Solutions in dealing with one of its customers. Freedom of speech protestors created videos commenting on the situation, and some uploaded Wilders' film to social networking sites such as YouTube shortly after its release. Protestors for both sides created their own blogs and video statements on the matter. Anti-censorship protestors took their campaigns to sites such as YouTube in order to alert others of the situation.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-YouTube_User-41'][41][/URL] On March 23, 2008, Brian Krebs of the Washington Post published an article explaining more facts related to the event. Krebs wrote that Network Solutions spokesperson Susan Wade stated that Network Solutions had received several complaints regarding the website, but she did not elaborate on the specific nature of the complaints.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-42'][42][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B]Controversy over subdomain hijacking[/B][/SIZE]
Recent[[I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items']when?[/URL][/I]] reports indicate that in addition to the aforementioned front-running practices, Network Solutions has begun exploiting an obscure provision of its [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End-user_license_agreement']end-user license agreement[/URL] that permits it to use and advertise on its users' unassigned [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subdomain']subdomains[/URL], even despite the registration and private ownership of the top-level domain itself.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-43'][43][/URL] The provision states:
'You also agree that any domain name directory, sub-directory, file name or path (e.g.) that does not resolve to an active web page on your Web site being hosted by Network Solutions, may be used by Network Solutions to place a "[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_parking']parking[/URL]" page, "under construction" page, or other temporary page that may include promotions and advertisements for, and links to, Network Solutions' Web site...'"[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-44'][44][/URL]
[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Technica']Ars Technica[/URL] has documented how to opt out of this scheme,[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-45'][45][/URL] but many[[I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions']who?[/URL][/I]] private domain holders and privacy advocates cite the move as another step in Network Solutions' series of recent attempts to push the boundaries of profitability and responsibility in its domain practices.[[I][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed']citation needed[/URL][/I]][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-46'][46][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B][I]Races.com[/I] controversy[/B][/SIZE]
According to a Wired.com article, in 1999 Network Solutions bungled the transfer of "races.com", accidentally placing it back into the pool of available domain names. MBA student John McLanahan purchased the domain privately for thousands of dollars. A domain name speculator was able to obtain it, and demanded $500,000 for its return.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-47'][47][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B]Controversy of Domain "Seizure"[/B][/SIZE]
Network Solutions disabled the white supremacist forum "[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormfront_%28website%29']stormfront.org[/URL]" and put its domain in an on hold status usually used during legal disputes, non-payment, or when the domain is subject to deletion.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-48'][48][/URL][URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-49'][49][/URL] Stormfront founder claimed that the company had done this in an effort so that when the domain expired in 2018 opponents could claim it from them. This sparked a free speech debate over whether domain name register could attempt to force a release of a domain name over a website's legal content.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-50'][50][/URL]
[SIZE=4][B]Misleading customers over refunds[/B][/SIZE]
In April 2015, the [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Trade_Commission']Federal Trade Commission[/URL] announced that Network Solutions had agreed to settle charges that it misled consumers who bought web hosting services by promising a full refund if they canceled within 30 days. In reality, the FTC stated, the company withheld substantial cancellation fees amounting to up to 30 percent of the refund.[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Solutions#cite_note-51'][51][/URL]
