Good day, everyone! I have a problem - some time ago, there was a domain lock in the zone.website domain. The reason was that the domain got listed in the DBL Spamhouse. However, it was a completely new domain, and there was no mailing list or anything illegal. The registrar was PublicDomainRegistry. Then I automatically deleted the domain, and everything resolved itself. Now, another domain in the .xyz zone has been disabled (without any warning - so the reason is unclear), but I suspect it's because of the DBL again, since the domain is listed there. Additionally, I have around 100 domains registered with this registrar (through resellers rdn.name) in the .xyz zone, and about 80 of them are listed in the DBL for reasons I don't understand. All domains are in the .xyz zone, except for one .website domain (registered via a website). Today, I tried to remove all 80 domains using the standard deletion form - it worked initially, but a few hours later, everything got relisted in the DBL. When I tried to delete them again, I received a message:

"Self-removal denied - please contact us. The domain my domain.xyz has been flagged for manual removal only. If you believe my domain.xyz is incorrectly listed in the DBL and you are an authoritative administrator of that domain, then you may request removal by writing to the DBL Team using this form and explaining why my domain.xyz should not be listed in the DBL. We will review your request and, at our discretion, remove the listing or respond to your request."

I had to send an unsubscribe message to Spamhouse.

I must say right away that аdult-themed sites and links were placed exclusively in catalogs for аdult sites.

Please advise on how to prove to PublicDomainRegistry that the domains were not spammed, and that nothing illegal happened to them. And in general, what is the danger of this situation? I have opened a ticket with rdn.name, and they have unsubscribed with PublicDomainRegistry, but I'm not sure what happens next.

Additionally, the IP of the server on which the domains are hosted is NOT listed in any Spamhouse database. With rdn.name support, I previously unsubscribed from the Spamhouse domains that are usually blocked.

I've encountered situations like yours before, and I understand the frustration and potential consequences involved. First and foremost, we need to address the root cause of the issue: why your domains are being listed in the DBL (Spamhaus Domain Block List).

The DBL is a widely respected and trusted database maintained by Spamhaus, a renowned organization dedicated to tracking and preventing spam and other cyber threats. When a domain is listed in the DBL, it's typically because it has been identified as a source or facilitator of spam, malware, or other malicious activities.

In your case, since you've stated that your domains are primarily used for аdult-themed content and links within relevant catalogs, it's possible that some automated systems or human reviewers have misinterpreted this activity as spamming. However, it's essential to understand that аdult content alone is not inherently illegal or a valid reason for being blacklisted, as long as it's being hosted and promoted legally and ethically.

To address this issue with PublicDomainRegistry and prove that your domains have not been involved in any illegal or spamming activities, you'll need to gather and present compelling evidence. Here's what you can do:

1. Transparency and dоcumentation: Provide a detailed explanation of your business model, the nature of your websites, and the specific catalogs or directories where you've listed аdult content. Include screenshots, logs, or any other relevant dоcumentation that demonstrates your compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

2. Traffic analysis: Gather and present data on your website's traffic patterns, including sources, visitor behavior, and engagement metrics. This can help illustrate that your domains are not being used for bulk email distribution or other spamming activities.

3. Content review: Offer to share your website's content with PublicDomainRegistry for review. This can help them understand that your domains are not hosting or distributing malicious content, malware, or illegal material.

4. Security measures: Outline the security measures and best practices you've implemented to prevent your domains from being compromised or abused for malicious purposes. This could include web application firewalls, secure hosting practices, and regular vulnerability assessments.

5. Industry certifications or affiliations: If you're a member of any reputable industry organizations or have obtained relevant certifications, highlight these credentials to demonstrate your commitment to ethical and lawful business practices.

It's also crucial to maintain open and transparent communication with PublicDomainRegistry and the DBL team throughout this process. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or clarification, and be prepared to address any specific concerns they may have.

Regarding the potential dangers of this situation, being listed in the DBL can have far-reaching consequences. Many email providers, internet service providers (ISPs), and web hosting companies use the DBL to filter out potentially malicious or spammy domains, which can result in your emails being blocked or your websites being inaccessible to a significant portion of users.

Additionally, a prolonged presence on the DBL can damage your online reputation and credibility, making it harder to conduct business and engage with legitimate partners or customers.

In the event that the accredited registrar fails to provide a timely response regarding your inquiry, you should promptly escalate the matter by contacting the relevant top-level domain (TLD) registry directly. In your communication with the registry, it would be advisable to request a detailed explanation for the underlying cause that has led to the suspension or restriction of access to the domain name in question.
This proactive approach will ensure that you obtain the necessary information to address the issue effectively and potentially restore the domain's operational status.

Engaging with registrars over locked domains requires a strategic approach. When crafting your communication, subtly allude to the substantial financial detriment you're enduring, sans fabrications.

The primary letter should be addressed to their support team, with a copy discreetly sent to their legal department. Adroitly, include a secondary recipient – the registry or ICANN – visible in the address bar. This multi-pronged tactic instills a sense of gravity, prompting the registrar to act with prudence. Remember, a veiled hint of escalation often yields favourable outcomes in such situations.

How can Spamhouse justify these listings without adequate review? It feels like a digital witch hunt, punishing legitimate businesses while real spammers thrive elsewhere. You should demand accountability and a clear process for disputing these listings. It's absurd that you must fight to prove your legitimacy when the system should protect honest domainers.