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{{TLD|

{{TLD|

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|status = Proposed

|status = Delegated

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'''.wtf''' is a proposed [[TLD]] in [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]]. The applicant is [[Donuts]] (Hidden Way, LLC).<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/application-results/strings-1200utc-13jun12-en Reveal Day 13 June 2012 – New gTLD Applied-For Strings]</ref> "WTF" is a largely understood acronym in English that stands for "What the fuck?", it became popular related to chatting, texting, and other ICT networking formats. The applicant does not actually define the acronym in its application.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/gtld/all/infographic Infographic, News.Dot-nxt.com]</ref>

'''.wtf''' is a [[gTLD]] that was proposed in [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]]. The applicant and now [[Registry Operator]] is [[Donuts]] (Hidden Way, LLC).<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/application-results/strings-1200utc-13jun12-en Reveal Day 13 June 2012 – New gTLD Applied-For Strings]</ref> Their application succeeded and was delegated to the [[Root Zone]] on 23 April 2014.<ref name="delegation">[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings Delegated Strings, ICANN.org] Retrieved 30 May 2014</ref>

==Objection==

 

===Objection===

Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) filed an objection against the TLD.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/16/icann_top_level_domain_applications_saudi_arabia_apparently_objects_to_catholic_gay_bible_.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest Saudi Arabia Apparently Objects to .Catholic, .Gay, .Bible, and 28 More Proposed New Top-Level Domains, slate.com]</ref>

Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) filed an objection against the TLD.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/16/icann_top_level_domain_applications_saudi_arabia_apparently_objects_to_catholic_gay_bible_.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest Saudi Arabia Apparently Objects to .Catholic, .Gay, .Bible, and 28 More Proposed New Top-Level Domains, slate.com]</ref>

The application was subject to a [[GAC]] Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, [[Heather Dryden]]. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given TLD application should be denied. The warning states the the .wtf string has an overtly critical nature and that the applicant had not sufficiently adresses how it would prevent massive [[Defensive Registration]]s in its application.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/WTF-AU-57100.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353384608000 WTF AU, GACweb.ICANN.org]</ref>

The application was subject to a [[GAC]] Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, [[Heather Dryden]]. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given TLD application should be denied. The warning states the the .wtf string has an overtly critical nature and that the applicant had not sufficiently adresses how it would prevent massive [[Defensive Registration]]s in its application.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/WTF-AU-57100.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353384608000 WTF AU, GACweb.ICANN.org]</ref>

==Independent Objector==

===Independent Objector===

The [[Independent Objector]]  is responsible for determining if a new gTLD application is in the best interest of the Internet community. If not, he or she will file formal objections against a new gTLD application. [[Alain Pellet]], a law professor from the University of Paris and a former member of the United Nations International Law Commission and International Court of Justice, was chosen by ICANN to serve as the sole independent objector for the [[New gTLD Program]] in May, 2012. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14may12-en.htm Independent Objector for New gTLD Program Selected]. ICANN. Published 2012 May 14.</ref> The position was created by ICANN in accordance with the implementation of the [[New gTLD Program]]. As defined, the IO may be an individual or organization and must not be affiliated with any applicant and must carry out their responsibility without bias.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/wanted-somebody-to-object-to-new-gtlds/ Wanted: somebody to object to new gTLDs]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 November 23. Retrieved 2012 November 15.</ref>  

The [[Independent Objector]]  is responsible for determining if a new gTLD application is in the best interest of the Internet community. If not, he or she will file formal objections against a new gTLD application. [[Alain Pellet]], a law professor from the University of Paris and a former member of the United Nations International Law Commission and International Court of Justice, was chosen by ICANN to serve as the sole independent objector for the [[New gTLD Program]] in May, 2012. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14may12-en.htm Independent Objector for New gTLD Program Selected]. ICANN. Published 2012 May 14.</ref> The position was created by ICANN in accordance with the implementation of the [[New gTLD Program]]. As defined, the IO may be an individual or organization and must not be affiliated with any applicant and must carry out their responsibility without bias.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/wanted-somebody-to-object-to-new-gtlds/ Wanted: somebody to object to new gTLDs]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 November 23. Retrieved 2012 November 15.</ref>  

With regards to .wtf, the IO notes that the objections hinge on the fact that the term, and its operative word, are considered vulgar or obscene by many people and societies. Mr. Pellet goes on to note the International protection of free speech, specifically "Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stipulates that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”, and a large list of other documents and treaties. Given that International law does not have a uniform code of morality with regards to the content of speech, the IO defers to freedom of speech and does not make objection with the string.<ref>[http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/wtf-general-comment/ WTF General Comment, Independent-Objector-NewgTLDs.org]</ref>

With regards to .wtf, the IO notes that the objections hinge on the fact that the term, and its operative word, are considered vulgar or obscene by many people and societies. Mr. Pellet goes on to note the International protection of free speech, specifically "Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stipulates that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”, and a large list of other documents and treaties. Given that International law does not have a uniform code of morality with regards to the content of speech, the IO defers to freedom of speech and does not make objection with the string.<ref>[http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/wtf-general-comment/ WTF General Comment, Independent-Objector-NewgTLDs.org]</ref>

==Application Details==

===Application Details===

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

By applying our array of protection mechanisms, Donuts will make this TLD a place for Internet users that is far safer than existing TLDs.  Donuts will strive to operate this TLD with fewer incidences of fraud and abuse than occur in incumbent TLDs.  In addition, Donuts commits to work toward a downward trend in such incidents."<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/714 Application Download, gTLDresult.ICANN.org] Retrieved 28 Feb 2013</ref>

By applying our array of protection mechanisms, Donuts will make this TLD a place for Internet users that is far safer than existing TLDs.  Donuts will strive to operate this TLD with fewer incidences of fraud and abuse than occur in incumbent TLDs.  In addition, Donuts commits to work toward a downward trend in such incidents."<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/714 Application Download, gTLDresult.ICANN.org] Retrieved 28 Feb 2013</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:TLD]]

[[Category:TLD]]

[[Category:Technology New gTLDs|wtf]]

[[Category:Technology New gTLDs|wtf]]