Domain Name Registrants, Domain Name Registrars, Domain Name Registry

Denmark’s ccTLD Introduces ‘Intensified Control of Registrants Abroad’ Plus New Terms and Conditions

dk-hostmaster-logoDK Hostmaster has introduced “an intensified control of the identity of customers living outside Denmark” in an effort to combat abuse of the country’s ccTLD. The move follows the implementation of mandatory identification with NemID for Danish costumers in November.

One of the reasons given for the change was the number of domain names seized for selling counterfeit goods. In 2017 alone there were 992 .dk domain names seized, the majority to registrants outside Denmark.

DK Hostmaster intends the intensified identity control to ensure Denmark’s country code top level domain is as free of abuse as possible. With this initiative it is expected the number of seized .dk domains will decrease in the future. Documentation required by DK Hostmaster for registrants living abroad will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

There are also new terms and conditions for .dk domain names. The new T&Cs came into effect on 19 December. The changes involve:

  • Making it more transparent to a DK Hostmaster customer with rewritten terms that are streamlined and reorganised and written in a more understandable language with clarifications in some areas.
  • The T&Cs are also significantly reduced, with a reduction from 35 to 10 pages. The procedures which made up a lot of the T&Cs previously have been taken out and can now be found on the website instead. The terms and conditions are therefore more about registrant rights and obligations.
  • The terms also reflect the substantive changes made to DK Hostmaster products. These include:
    • the proxy will now be able to perform more actions on behalf of the registrant without the registrant having to approve the actions each time. Only in case of transfer and deletion must the registrant confirm the actions.
    • DK Hostmaster will be able to suspend a domain name on the basis of risk of confusion in connection with obvious risk of financial crime.
    • An emphasis on the importance of the registrant keeping contact information updated
    • The implementation of the new identification process.

The changes to the terms and conditions have come about following a consultation with the Danish internet community in 2017.

DK Hostmaster believes these changes will support transparency on the Danish internet and help prevent cybercrime.