New .sucks domain stirs up storm over free speech

THINLY-VEILED EXTORTION: Critics see the new Internet domain .sucks as a shakedown scheme designed to force companies and individuals to fork over cash to keep an unfavourable or offensive website offline.

WASHINGTON: The new Internet domain .sucks has stirred up a firestorm over free online speech and the potential for extortion against companies and individuals. 

The company operating this new domain claims it is “designed to help consumers find their voices and allow companies to find the value in criticism.”