A few years ago, I bought a “KKK” domain that was being sold at DNForum.com and gave it to an anti-hatred organization. The cost didn’t matter; at stake was a URL with the potential of being misappropriated.
A decade ago, the NAACP managed to get hold of the domain name Nigger.com to prevent it from falling into the hands of hate groups that promote racism and harassment against African-Americans. This was a preemptive move that is to be applauded.
Although two-letter domains are an extreme rarity, one would feel that the double-consonant “SS.com” would be a carefully-guarded commodity, never to be placed in the hands of a buyer with Nazi or supremacist affiliations. And yet, it appears that the unfortunate happened. As seen at this press release by Australia-based J.C. Geaney, the domain SS.com has been apparently bought for the price of $1.25 million dollars.
Now, the greenback has been weak for the past year, but the price still is exorbitant. The press release by Mr. Geaney, a self-described “energetic, vibrant and charismatic Internet entrepreneur“, bears the colors and the insignia of the most fearsome special elite force of the nazi Germany before and during World War II: the SS or Schutzstaffel.
Thousands of people died in the hands of the oppressor forces, as did millions of others by the German invaders, in the course of war and at concentration camps. Today, Germany is extremely sensitive towards its past and has in place a number of measures that protect the legacy and the loss of the millions of people affected by Nazi Germany. In particular, it is a crime in Germany to promote nazism, nazi insignia are not allowed to be traded and denial of the Holocaust is a crime punishable by jail time.
We are witnessing a crime against humanity and the domain industry, as it’s evident by the imagery displayed at Geaney.com that the buyer condones Nazi symbols and apparently its ideology. It’s truly a disgraceful moment for the domain industry; the seller should have been aware of the special meaning of the two letters and should have done due diligence about the domain’s buyer.
Having lost my two grandfathers in World War II in Greece – one in combat and the other as an executed civilian – I believe that my anger is more than justified. The crimes against humanity that were committed by the SS and nazi Germany should be remembered as such and should never be allowed the chance of glorification by well-off individuals who buy the present, wanting to distort the past and attempting to destroy the future.
So it is a done deal ?
It’s a shame the seller didn’t allow for more bids when the domain was for sale in the dnforums. I guess he thought nobody would go higher then the $1.25 and took what he could or perhaps he even agrees with the buyers cause.
As far as from what the seller says this sale is pretty much nearly complete in escrow, I don’t think people realise just how much money white supremist organisations donated to help this purchase. Pro White Music for example makes millions a year so this was probably nothing to purchase and Geaney has deep connections.
Sad day for domaining.
Wow. I heard about the sale earlier this morning but just from headlines. Was browsing blogs real quick and noticed your title and just had to read the article. No idea this was the case with an extremely rare domain like SS.com.
Disgusting. Thanks for writing this! Link to your article coming up!
We shouldn’t try to be censoring hate groups, rather give them the rights given to them by our constitution. You or anyone else doesn’t have the right to say a certain group shouldn’t be allowed to have a presence just because of what their ancestors did. As long as they aren’t doing anything illegal, it is their right.
Shanti, I’m all for free speech. But I believe it’s a crime to promote Nazism in many civilized countries. Sixty-three years after the end of WWII, Israeli organizations still hunt down any remaining Nazi officers and soldiers responsible for the loss of millions of people. Do you know why? Does that invade your sense of “free speech”? Did you lose anyone from your family during WWII or during any war? I doubt it.
SS.com would have made a nice portal for SuperSport Chevy collectors, must be millions of SS Chevys still running or being restored.
When it comes to the domain name SS.com it is only a two letter domain name which can be used for many way’s online.
When it comes to deciding what to do with the domain name the seller decided to sell it and the buyer bought it to use it.
If those racial hate groups like KKK, and others would not exist how would the good people know that they are good.
Since the begining of times humanity has been divided by good and evil.
Your tought determines what you are and what you will be.
The world needs to be in balance.
Either you believe in free speech or you don’t.
Post-war Nazi censorship laws in Germany and Austria are generally seen as something of an embarrassment nowadays in Europe – akin to something the Nazis themselves would do.
Apparently, this is just your point of view. To say that a nation of 80 million, that bears the legacy of having started 2 world wars is viewing the subject of tackling nazi material as a crime is “laughable”, shows little respect for the sacrifices of your British compatriots. Free speech is not about shoving fear and stirring horror down one’s throat.
Just the idea of SS.com being misused to promote propaganda of similar nature as it’s been done between ’38-’45 is concerning.
Free speech? Absolutely! But even more so, let it be reasonable speech. No one in their right mind can condone any KKK, SS, Nazi, GESTAPO association. Much like many others, i’ve had family affected by WWII, have been to visit the camps – if anyone thinks that the misuse of SS is to be taken lightly, go to see the camps and start reading up on history.
The guy that “purchased” the domain has definitely a mental problem. Just read his so called press releases on his site. If you still believe that this domain could go into the right hands after that, you might want book yourself an appointment at a therapist.
M.
Good news!
Under the apparent pressure, the seller has terminated the sale.
In the words of Indiana Jones: “Nazis…I hate these guys”.
I would have paid $100K since it is my initials 🙂
This is a real shame…