Go Daddy and Network Solutions Leave China

Two of the largest American web hosting companies, Go Daddy and Network Solutions, have pulled out of the Chinese market. The move follows Google’s decision to stop censoring online content in China, effectively marking Google’s withdrawal from China.

Go Daddy and Network Solutions made their decisions after the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) announced stiff requirements that registrars provide the government with personal information and photos of their customers. In the past, CNNIC did require registrars to collect basic contact information, but the policy became more comprehensive in December 2009.

According to a tersely-worded notice from CNNIC, domain name applicants will need to submit a paper-based application when making an online application to a registrar, which must include “the original application form with business seal, company business license (photocopy), and registrant ID (photocopy).” According to the notice, if CNNIC does not receive the paper-based application within five days, or the applicant does not qualify, the domain name will be deleted.

Go Daddy has been handling Chinese domains with the “.cn” extension since 2005, and currently hosts over 27,000 .cn domains, many sites that are objectionable to the Chinese government. Go Daddy will continue hosting existing sites but will stop new Chinese registration.

Go Daddy announced its move during a Congressional hearing on Google’s decision to stop censoring Internet search results in China. According to Go Daddy, the company’s decision was not made as a direct result of Google’s own decision. According to Go Daddy’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel Christine Jones, “We made a decision we didn’t want to act as an agent for the Chinese government.”