Internet regulators have rejected plans to create a domain for pornography websites ending with the .xxx suffix - ICANN's Board voted 9 to 5 against the proposed agreement. Advocates of the exclusive domain had argued that it would make it easier for web users to locate - or avoid - pornography online. Conservative opponents of the plan said it would legitimise pornography, while opponents in the porn industry warned it could lead to more state control.

Critics also said that because signing up for .xxx was voluntary, there was no guarantee pornographers would move material to the new domain, not least because many have established themselves on other well-known sites.