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[Rouben <rouben AT rouben.net>]

My apologies! I forgot to include the link to the .RU ccTLD blacklist that the Russian Government won't (presumably) let you register pursuant section 3.4 of the official .RU ccTLD registration rules. Anyway, here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aPqg2STO4KWQyAz154UMxRiI094X00aL6pUgO_8q3HA/edit?usp=sharing

Shortlink: https://goo.gl/ZSLp1h

If you play around with filtering the last column, you can see some of the official reasons for blacklisting a domain name:

- "Георгиевский ... " - censorship of dissenting political opinions - these are confirmed *cancelled* domain names that were actually registered at some point

- "формирование стоп-листа ..." - initial version of the list - only one entry

- "Cловарь ..." - Dictionary of non-normative vocabulary and obscene expressions (Google translate)

So like I said, mostly slang/swear words, but hey, censorship is censorship. And that's one very important reason why we need .RUS. :)

Rouben

On Fri, Sep 29, 2017 at 3:10 PM, Rouben <rouben AT rouben.net> wrote:

I vote YES, provided that the charter and purpose of the .RUS OpenNIC TLD is expanded to include protection of privacy and freedom of speech as its official mission/raison d'être.

Dmitry, would you consider adding the above 2 points to the charter?

On Fri, Sep 29, 2017 at 10:42 Al Beano <albino AT autistici.org> wrote:

...why not use it as a space for russian-language content on OpenNIC...

I suggested something similar a while ago on the list. I think language/cultural space is a good idea. With this follow-up response, I will expand on this notion to suggest that protection of privacy and freedom of speech should be added to the list of "for" reasons...

To those being hesitant re: creating a precedent for a ccTLD avalanche at OpenNIC, or as Dmitry put it, "fear of venturing into the forest" (i.e. we shouldn't accept country-based TLDs just for the sake of accepting country-based TLDs due to redundancy with ICANN and the presumable risk of being overwhelmed with a flurry of applications from people not really serious about operating TLDs), I respond with the following analysis:

Specific to .RU vs .RUS - according to the official .RU registration rules (see below from official .RU ccTLD registration policy):

Issue #1: Quite a bit of sensitive personal information (date of birth, official ID #s, such as passport, etc) are required to register a .RU. See sections 9.2.5 - 9.2.8 (inclusive) if the official .RU ccTLD registration policy document (link below to original in Russian and English translation). Furthermore, it is unclear whether or not registrant contact information can be removed (or proxied, i.e. "domain privacy" service) from the public WHOIS register for .RU ccTLDs.

Solution to issue #1 (justification for .RUS): OpenNIC does not require this level of disclosure, and is therefore a viable alternative for those individuals unwilling to share this information with (effectively) the Government of the Russian Federation.

Issue #2: The .RU ccTLD registration policy has a "stop list" of "words that are contrary to the public interest, the principles of humanity and morality (in particular, the words of obscene content, appeals of an inhumane nature that offend human dignity or religious feelings, etc.)". I think it's fair to assume that this "stop list" is tightly controlled, if not dictated by the Russian Federation government.

Evidence 1: I tried to find the actual "stop list", and it seems like it's secret. There are unofficial copies circulating that are years old, and was able to find at least one domain name supporting an "unpopular" political movement. Most of the list, however, consists of various swear words and otherwise "non normative" lexicon and Russian slang. It's also worthwhile to note that most of the entries on the list are in Cyrillic, not Latin characters.

Evidence 2: An article from late 2016 announcing the move of a website serving "unpopular with the Russian government" news stories had to abandon its .RU ccTLD in favour of a more neutral .COM alternative (see links below). 

Solution to issue #2: .RUS ccTLDs could be an instrument of Free Speech, used to register and promote TLDs that would never otherwise be approved; given the evidence I was able to find (see above), I think we have a fairly solid case here.

References:

.RU ccTLD official registration policy:

- Governing body website: https://cctld.ru/

- Original document in Russian: https://cctld.ru/files/pdf/docs/rules_ru-rf.pdf

- Google Translated version: https://goo.gl/UJXcR4 (original link is huge, and is essentially a translate.google.com wrapped URL above)

New article about censored website:

- Original article in Russian: https://rublacklist.net/19514/

- Google Translated version: https://goo.gl/Ng41eR (again, shortlink for convenience and fudging avoidance by mailing list)

Thanks for your attention.

On Fri, Sep 29, 2017 at 10:42 Al Beano <albino AT autistici.org> wrote:

I did read your explanation, but I don't think it adequately answered some of the concerns I had.

If .rus is not a ccTLD 'in the traditional sense', why not use it as a space for russian-language content on OpenNIC, rather than marketing it as an alternative to .ru? That's something I would definitely get behind.

On 28 September 2017 17:27:32 BST, vv AT cgs.pw wrote:
>That is incorrect. I gave a good explanation
>and you're seemingly ignoring it. To me it
>looks like you're either not reading the (few)
>emails on this list, or perhaps didn't like
>or agree with what I said.
>
>Thanks,
>        Ole
>
>
>
>On Thu, 28 Sep 2017 11:05:05 +0100
>Al Beano <albino AT autistici.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I've already voiced my concerns r.e. country-related
>> TLDs, and the only response has been that I'm too scared
>> or something.
>>
>> Therefore, my vote for this proposal is NO.
>>
>> albino
>>
>> On 28 September 2017 07:54:08 BST, "Dmitry S. Nikolaev"
>> <dn AT mega-net.ru> wrote:
>> >Hi again.
>> >
>> >On 24.09.2017 16:04, Christopher wrote:
>> >> You can call for a vote.
>> >We have large-scale discussion about the subj before.
>> >Ok, let`s do this. *Please send your vote for the new
>> >TLD in OpenNIC: .RUS*
>> >
>> >This is for those who don`t read discuss maillist before:
>> >I suggest to add new TLD to OpenNIC project.
>> >
>> >NS list:
>> > - ns1.rus 91.217.137.1
>> > - ns2.rus 91.217.137.2
>> >
>> >Information page: http://www.rus/ or http://opennic.rus/
>> >Charter page: http://www.rus/charter/ ( temp link that
>> >accessible without any changes:
>> >http://subnets.ru/rus.www/charter/ ) Register page:
>> >http://register.rus/ Whois service page:
>> >http://whois.rus/
>> >
>> >
>> >P.S. I hope for your support and thanks.
>> >
>> >With best regards, Dmitry S. Nikolaev
>> >virus_net
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
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>> >
>> >
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