A proposal for an internet red light zone has won the cautious approval of local internet groups.
The .xxx domain is set to be signed off at next week's meeting in Wellington of the global internet governing body, ICANN. ICANN regulates and assigns top level country internet codes. It will decide on final approval for the .xxx domain for pornography sites.
Executive Director of Netsafe, Liz Butterfield, says the new domain would allow families some control over pornography on home computers.
The domain's applicant, Stuart Lawley of ICM Registry based in Florida, says the .xxx domain could help clean up the online industry by signposting pornography for parents. Lawley says the other benefit is the fact that sites will be screened for spam, spyware and credit card fraudsters.
The Executive Director of Internet New Zealand, Keith Davidson, says the domain has some positive aspects but parents should be aware not all porn sites will be confined to .xxx.
