Web of libel: DHS seizes domains.

• Author: Balko, Radley
• Position: Citings - Department of Homeland Security - Brief article

"THIS DOMAIN has been seized by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations," the notice read. "Advertisement, distribution, transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography constitute federal crimes that carry penalties for first time offenders of up to 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution" In February this warning was posted on some 84,000 websites seized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of Operation Protect Our Children. But only 10 of the 84,000 sites were suspected of involvement in child pornography. Instead of asking the domain host, mooo.com, to shut down the targeted sites, DHS seized the entire domain. As a result, the other 99.9 percent of the sites, mostly associated with individuals and small businesses, were spuriously linked to child pornography for three to five days.

In a terse statement emailed to some media...