Technology

ICANN approves Verisign proposal to terminate third-level .name domains

The decision to eliminate the third-level hierarchy affects an estimated 22,000 domain owners starting in February.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 17:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

ICANN approved a proposal by Verisign to terminate all third-level registrations under the .name top-level domain to streamline registry administration.
Around 22,000 domain holders will lose their existing web addresses, emails, and connected services in February.
Affected users express concern that releasing second-level domains could expose previous owners to account hijacking and impersonation risks.

Verisign submitted a proposal on April 15, 2026, to eliminate the third level of the .name domain hierarchy to simplify administration.[Hacker News]
ICANN granted approval for Verisign's termination plan on July 28, 2026.[Hacker News]
Approximately 22,000 registrants are estimated to lose their third-level .name domains when the changes take effect in February.[Hacker News]
Domain holders reported receiving termination notices despite having active registrations paid through future dates, with some prepaid as far as 2040.[Hacker News]

It remains unconfirmed how Verisign or ICANN will handle compensation or transition pathways for registrants who prepaid for domains well beyond the February termination date.[Hacker News]
It is not specified what mechanisms, if any, will be implemented to prevent third parties from registering the vacated second-level domains and hijacking linked legacy accounts.[Hacker News]