Update: Directi, Knujon and HostExploit have had a joint conversation addressing the issues raised in all previous posts concerning the matter. A joint statement with an accurate representation of facts, clearing any previous misconceptions and reaffirming their common goal to combat abuse on the Internet can be found here

From Bhavin Turakhia’s Desk:

There were some articles and reports published by Garth Bruen at Knujon and by Jart Armin and James Mcquad at Hostexploit, that linked Directi with groups that were involved in unethical activities on the Internet.

We had posted clarifications on our blog, which we have now substituted with a joint statement developed in collaboration with Knujon and HostExploit. This statement provides an accurate representation of facts, clearing any previous misconceptions. Knujon and HostExploit are in the process of rectifying their respective websites and removing all inaccuracies The joint statement is available here

A summary of the clarifications as discussed and confirmed between Directi, HostExploit and Knujon, and covered in this joint statement are as follows -

Directi is not hosting any of Atrivo’s websites. Atrivo runs its web infrastructure under the name of Hostfresh.com which is not affiliated with Directi in any manner.

* ESTDomains is not a Directi company, and Directi does not control the actions or clients of ESTDomains

* LogicBoxes is not sponsoring Internet abuse, and is not affiliated with Atrivo. LogicBoxes is simply a software provider to various ICANN Accredited Registrars.

* Privacyprotect.org is merely a privacy protection service used by many of Directi’s legitimate clients, not unlike the privacy protection services offered by other Registrars. Since Directi offers privacy protection free of cost, there are miscreants who use it to cloak their malicious activities. However Directi’s abuse team actively suspends privacy protection on any domain for which we receive a genuine complaint in less than 24 hours. In fact a few months ago, based on reports and data obtained from the antispam community, Directi ceased to offer its privacy protection services to all customers of ESTDomains and to tens of thousands of other domains obtained through the community. Privacy protection had also already been disabled on a large percentage of Atrivo’s domain names over a month ago. Currently over half a million genuine customers of Directi use privacy protection services to prevent their whois data from being harvested.

* The 48 Registrars belonging to Directi and its clients, referenced in these reports are not phantom registrars and are actually in existence as delaware incorporated legitimate companies with a valid ICANN Accreditation and accurate contact information.

* Directi is in no way supporting illicit online pharmacies. Directi has actively suspended the list of clients obtained from the community involved in illegal activities on the Internet.

* Directi is not a hosting provider to any of the websites in the Knujon and HostExploit report. Some of the websites have their domain names registered through Directi. However the hosting infrastructure that run these websites is not in Directi’s control

Today, Directi continues to be one of the most proactive Registrars in combating abuse and implementing strict AUPs. We have a significant investment in terms of manpower and processes to achieve just this. We do so, not because we’re contractually obligated, or to protect our own business interests, but because we sincerely believe in the ideology of making the internet a safer and more secure medium for conducting business.