Dot triple-x is a sponsored top-level domain, also known as a sTLD, which can be used by websites with adult materials. On March 18, 2011, the ICANN Board voted to approve the use of the sTLD and it was officially introduced on April 15, 2011, although general availability did not commence until December 6, 2011.

The use of the dot triple-x sTLD is believed by some to be a negative development, as it will make it easier to block adult sites by using the parental controls options, found on many search engines. However, some critics believe it will make it easier to draw traffic to a non-adult content website, simply by using the dot triple-x domain. This would work in the same way as using non-related keywords or tags in web page content just to attract attention from a random web search.

Holders of adult content websites who currently use .com as their domain will also now feel the need to recreate their site with the dot triple-x domain. However this can cause problems if another company or individual has already registered that particular name. If legislation is changed so that the use of the dot triple-x domain becomes mandatory for all adult content websites or those sites containing pornographic images, it is thought it could also lead to legal problems and issues with the right to freedom of speech. Furthermore, the definition of ‘sexually explicit’ will need to be more clearly defined.

One adult website has already filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regarding registration fees, stating that the corporation is, “engaging in monopolistic conduct, price gouging and anti-competitive and unfair practices”. The lawsuit also states that website owners are, “forced to pay excessive fees for the dot triple-x defensive registrations that have little or no value to anyone except the defendants”.

Companies or businesses that are not linked to adult content websites are also concerned that with the creation of the new dot triple-x domain names, they can become unwittingly connected to pornographic sites. There is a mechanism for preventing this from happening, which involves the company concerned paying a fee to block their business name from being used alongside the dot triple-x domain; however, the block is only valid for a period of 10 years. In effect they will be buying the domain name for themselves, which means no other site will be able to use it during that period of time.

Once the dot triple-x domain becomes available to the general public, the floodgates are opened for cyber squatters to create websites with well-known brand names and use them with the dot triple-x domain. Although paying the fee and buying the domain name may seem like a waste of money, particularly as they do not intend to use it themselves, it may be a way for companies to ensure that unsuspecting customers or visitors to their website are likely to find themselves at the dot triple-x domain instead of their official .com, .co.uk or .org site.