Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) consultation on the Powers in Relation to UK-related Domain Name Registries - Which? response

Which? welcomes DSIT’s commitment to ensure that the UK meets international best practice on country code top level domains. However, we believe that the government needs to go further in ensuring that the domain sector has robust fraud prevention obligations placed on them in order to protect consumers.

Our response highlights:

• “Unfair uses” and “misuses” of domain names should include a prescribed practice of use or attempted use for dishonest or fraudulent purposes, including the promotion of fake products or services.
• Due diligence obligations must be placed on registries at the earliest stages of domain creation to prevent fraudsters reaching consumers in the first place.
• Reliance on consumer reporting places an unfair burden on consumers, risk based content moderation should be considered alongside this.
• Dispute resolution should be conducted in accordance with existing best practice in the industry.
• Data sharing across the domains sector and the wider digital ecosystem is vital to reduce fraud. 
• The government must work closely with NCSC and other relevant authorities including Ofcom and CMA on takedown of domains hosting fraudulent content.