Draft Amendment to the Regulation on Internet Domain Names Published for Consultation: The “ASAP” Era Begins
The Information and Communication Technologies Board, by its decision 2025/DK-BTD/300 dated 13.09.2025 (“Decision”), has submitted the Draft Regulation (“Draft”) amending the Internet Domain Names Regulation (“Regulation”) for public consultation.
Pursuant to the Decision, the Draft was published on the website of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (“Authority”) and opened for the opinions of relevant public institutions and organizations as well as other stakeholders. The Draft particularly attracts attention for introducing a centralized system called the “Domain Name Sales Platform” which is designed for the sale and allocation of domain names.
The main amendments introduced by the Draft are summarized below. The full text of the Draft can be accessed here.
1) Establishment of the Domain Name Sales Platform (ASAP)
One of the most significant amendments introduced by the Draft is the establishment of the Domain Name Sales Platform (“ASAP”).
The Draft defines the ASAP as “a platform through which transactions related to the sale and the granting of allocation rights of domain names are carried out.” Under the amendment proposed to Article 13 of the Regulation, it is envisaged that the granting of allocation rights and the sale transactions regarding domain names shall be conducted exclusively through the ASAP.
The procedures and principles regarding the granting of allocation rights and sale transactions shall be determined by the Authority.
In addition, through the amendment proposed to the provisional Article 2 of the Regulation, the Draft stipulates that domain names cannot be sold until the ASAP becomes operational, while the exceptions regarding transfers under the current provisional Article 2 are preserved in the Draft. The commencement of the ASAP’s operations shall be announced on the Authority’s website following the completion of the necessary procedures.
2) Allocation Right
Under the Regulation, domain name allocations are currently carried out through two separate methods: documented and undocumented allocation. In addition to these, the Draft introduces a new allocation method referred to as the “granting of allocation right.”
Under this procedure, domain names deemed appropriate by the Authority (which are not currently allocated) may be announced on the ASAP and allocated through the granting of allocation right. As a result of the granting of allocation right through the ASAP, the allocation transactions shall be carried out by registrars.
3) Combating the Abuse of the Domain Name System (DNS)
The Draft introduces an important new regulation aimed at enhancing internet security. Within this scope, it is proposed to add a new article to the Regulation, titled “Abuse of the Domain Name System (DNS).”
The Draft provides that the use of domain names or DNS infrastructure associated with domain names, intentionally or maliciously, for the purpose of harming internet users, and activities targeting the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of information systems through such use, shall constitute “abuse of the domain name system.”
The Draft also sets forth certain examples of such abuse, including activities carried out through methods such as obtaining user information via fake websites, spreading malicious software, using DNS capabilities for the command-and-control infrastructures of botnets, redirecting internet traffic through DNS without consent, or using unsolicited electronic mails as a means for distributing malicious content.
The Draft grants the Authority the power to take the necessary actions, including the cancellation of a domain name, in order to prevent such abuses. The procedures and principles regarding the handling of abuse cases will be determined by the Authority.
For more information and assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Pursuant to the Decision, the Draft was published on the website of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (“Authority”) and opened for the opinions of relevant public institutions and organizations as well as other stakeholders. The Draft particularly attracts attention for introducing a centralized system called the “Domain Name Sales Platform” which is designed for the sale and allocation of domain names.
The main amendments introduced by the Draft are summarized below. The full text of the Draft can be accessed here.
1) Establishment of the Domain Name Sales Platform (ASAP)
One of the most significant amendments introduced by the Draft is the establishment of the Domain Name Sales Platform (“ASAP”).
The Draft defines the ASAP as “a platform through which transactions related to the sale and the granting of allocation rights of domain names are carried out.” Under the amendment proposed to Article 13 of the Regulation, it is envisaged that the granting of allocation rights and the sale transactions regarding domain names shall be conducted exclusively through the ASAP.
The procedures and principles regarding the granting of allocation rights and sale transactions shall be determined by the Authority.
In addition, through the amendment proposed to the provisional Article 2 of the Regulation, the Draft stipulates that domain names cannot be sold until the ASAP becomes operational, while the exceptions regarding transfers under the current provisional Article 2 are preserved in the Draft. The commencement of the ASAP’s operations shall be announced on the Authority’s website following the completion of the necessary procedures.
2) Allocation Right
Under the Regulation, domain name allocations are currently carried out through two separate methods: documented and undocumented allocation. In addition to these, the Draft introduces a new allocation method referred to as the “granting of allocation right.”
Under this procedure, domain names deemed appropriate by the Authority (which are not currently allocated) may be announced on the ASAP and allocated through the granting of allocation right. As a result of the granting of allocation right through the ASAP, the allocation transactions shall be carried out by registrars.
3) Combating the Abuse of the Domain Name System (DNS)
The Draft introduces an important new regulation aimed at enhancing internet security. Within this scope, it is proposed to add a new article to the Regulation, titled “Abuse of the Domain Name System (DNS).”
The Draft provides that the use of domain names or DNS infrastructure associated with domain names, intentionally or maliciously, for the purpose of harming internet users, and activities targeting the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of information systems through such use, shall constitute “abuse of the domain name system.”
The Draft also sets forth certain examples of such abuse, including activities carried out through methods such as obtaining user information via fake websites, spreading malicious software, using DNS capabilities for the command-and-control infrastructures of botnets, redirecting internet traffic through DNS without consent, or using unsolicited electronic mails as a means for distributing malicious content.
The Draft grants the Authority the power to take the necessary actions, including the cancellation of a domain name, in order to prevent such abuses. The procedures and principles regarding the handling of abuse cases will be determined by the Authority.
For more information and assistance, please feel free to contact us.
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