domains These tech firms control what’s allowed online

[Lox]

.... Domain registrars

What they do: Companies that run the domain name system, or DNS, are the telephone books of the Internet. They allow a site to register the name you type into a browser, then make sure Web traffic gets directed to the right place.

Who they are: GoDaddy, Google, Tucows, DreamHost and Epik.

Why they have power: Domain registrations are a choke point that can quickly shut down a website. A site would remain offline until it finds a new domain registrar.

When they’ve taken action: In 2010, a software company called EveryDNS stopped directing traffic to WikiLeaks after it said cyberattacks threatened the rest of its network. After Charlottesville in 2017, GoDaddy joined other companies in evicting the Daily Stormer. In 2018, GoDaddy also dropped Gab.

Epik has emerged as a favored alternative for ... Epik CEO Rob Monster has criticized what he calls “digital censorship” by other registrars ...

Read more (Washington Post) / PDF attached

 

[The Durfer]

scary world of power struggles, but when has it not been like that. ty.

 

[TCK]

Of the 5 tech companies listed, the one that truly controls what's allowed online is Google. Since they have the monopoly on search, they have the power to put websites so deep in the index that they are virtually invisible in the SERPs. Businesses had to be closed because they lost all traffic due to algorithm updates. Another is Facebook. For related reasons but in the realm of social media.

Any company that runs hosting, registration, or any sort of network services, has the power to de-platform any site. In the vast majority of cases, you can find an alternative. Rent a dedicated server, rent a rack at a data center and put your own server in. But if you operate any illegal or questionable traffic/content then life will be more difficult. Your last option will be the dark web.

 

[Alop]

Of the 5 tech companies listed, the one that truly controls what's allowed online is Google. Since they have the monopoly on search, they have the power to put websites so deep in the index that they are virtually invisible in the SERPs. Businesses had to be closed because they lost all traffic due to algorithm updates. Another is Facebook. For related reasons but in the realm of social media.

Any company that runs hosting, registration, or any sort of network services, has the power to de-platform any site. In the vast majority of cases, you can find an alternative. Rent a dedicated server, rent a rack at a data center and put your own server in. But if you operate any illegal or questionable traffic/content then life will be more difficult. Your last option will be the dark web.

what’s the first option?