Notices and Alerts
Domain Name Privacy Option Notification
Published 18 October 2022
This is a notification regarding the migration of .nz domain names to the new Registry System (IRS).
The Provisional Address Masking Option (PAMO) was introduced during the .nz policy review and masks your contact address from being published in the .nz WHOIS.
The Individual Registrant Privacy Option (IRPO) was eventually implemented. However, PAMO was still offered as a service.
PAMO listed a PO Box as the registrant's contact address, whilst the IRPO withholds the registrant's address and telephone number from being published on the WHOIS.
The Domain Name Commission is contacting affected .nz registrants and their Registrars to notify them of this change (affected parties have been emailed).
This change will be occurring on 1 November 2022
Suspension of .nz domains
Published 28 March 2022
DNCL has received reports about .nz domain names hosting harmful content about the COVID-19 public health measures and of people associated with implementing or supporting them.
Under .nz policy, DNCL can take action to suspend a domain name based on court orders, or if instructed by an authoritative body. These agencies have the authority and resources to determine whether certain content is illegal or whether a harm incident is likely.
DNCL has no search warrant powers or intelligence function. However, it is ready to take urgent suspension action, if instructed to do so.
The .nz rules also authorise the temporary suspension of domains in an emergency or in exceptional circumstances (for example, terrorist attack, cyber security attack, or force majeure event) where irreparable harm may be caused to any person or to the operation or reputation of the .nz domain space.
If anyone is concerned that a .nz domain name is causing or encouraging harm, report it to Police using the 105 form.
If you see a website that you think should be classified as objectionable material, you should report this to the Classifications Office.
Covid-19 Alerts and Notices
Updated 8 September 2021
COVID-19 Notice has been moved to the following location
Voices For Freedom Domain Name Suspension
Published 10 September 2021
On 09 September 2021 the domain names voicesforfreedom.nz and voicesforfreedom.co.nz were suspended.
The domain names were suspended following the Domain Name Commission’s enquiries into the accuracy of the registration details for the domain names. The Commission initiated an investigation following complaints made to it.
The Domain Name Commission has suspended the domain names in accordance with enforcing data validation measures under the .nz Principles and Responsibilities policy.
The individuals who registered the domain names did not verify their contact details — and having valid contact details is a prerequisite for any .nz domain name holder.
The Commission wants .nz to be a safe, trusted and secure domain name space that is supported by its data validation process.
Update 10 September 2021 - voicesforfreedom.co.nz has since been reinstated.
Updated 13 January 2021 - voicesforfreedom.org.nz has been suspended.
Web.com, Register.com, Network Solutions customers affected by a security breach.
Published 6 November 2019
Customers of Web.com, Register.com, Network Solutions impacted by the security breach (late August 2019, notified 16 October 2019) who have concerns they would like the Registrar to address should first consult the information below and then contact the Registrar if there are any outstanding concerns. If the Registrar can’t resolve the issue or is unresponsive then please contact the Domain Name Commission at [email protected] or 0800 101 151
Web.com has published the following information in relation to the security breach:
We are notifying affected customers through email and via our website, and as an additional precaution are requiring all users to reset their account passwords. You will be required to reset your password the next time you log in to your Web.com account.
As with any online service or platform, it is also good security practise to change your password often and use a unique password for each service.
For more information, please visit Web.com
The Domain Name Commission is currently following up with these parties to fully understand the extent of the breach, and how this has affected .nz registrants and to see if we are able to provide any assistance.
End
Emergency and exceptional circumstance
Following the Christchurch terrorism attacks, the Commission has varied the approach it takes to suspending domain names that are associated with websites displaying objectionable terrorism-related material.
We also set out below our correspondence with InternetNZ for handling enquiries from our trusted notifiers. Enquiries may arise where those notifiers need to contact us for assistance with domain name suspensions - in circumstances beyond the ability of the notifier to quickly get in contact with the registrant or registrar to minimise public interest harm.
Commission approach to requests from DIA and CERTNZ
Trusted notifiers DIA and CERTNZ who cannot get objectionable terrorism-related content suspended quickly may enquire with the hosting provider, registrar, registrant and to the Commission.
Where there is an exceptional circumstance, the Commission can assist the trusted notifiers by not delegating a domain name. This has the effect of temporarily disrupting the spread of content online associated with that particular domain name. This is cautionary only and, where such action has been taken, there is nothing the Commission can do outside of the .nz domain namespace. The Commission also regularly reviews its suspension action.
When a trusted notifier tells us of a problem, these matters are registered as enquiries and will form part of our transparency reporting. The discretion to treat these matters uniquely only applies to our MOU holders and as a response to limited exceptional circumstances following the Christchurch terrorism attacks.
Where notifications raise other security and stability issues - we will follow our standard invalid details process which involves liaising with the registrant and registrar. Requests for domain name takedown are also processed as part of court orders.
Our temporary approach is set out in the following two letters to InternetNZ Council sent on 29 March and 15 April 2019.
Letter to InternetNZ - 28 March 2019