(Politico Morning Tech <https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2020/04/14/googles-month-f...> ) *FIRST IN MT:* *DEMS URGE REGISTRARS TO CRACK DOWN ON COVID SCAMS — *A group of Senate Democrats is calling on domain name gatekeepers to do more to combat phishing scams and online misinformation about the coronavirus outbreak. "As people the world over turn increasingly to the Internet for information about the coronavirus and use online applications to work, learn, and keep in contact with friends and family, it is imperative that domain name registrars not turn a blind eye to such illicit activity but, rather, act to protect the Internet-using public," Sens. Mazie Hirono <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e1141b967f4fcaf3d635a692b7453c01c6757d378d57...> (Hawaii), Cory Booker <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e1141b967f4fcaf38d9c8d55dc0bec6d8f0de478de04...> (N.J.) and Maggie Hassan <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e1141b967f4fcaf32fe7487b4928550d5b7b87e13604...> (N.H.) wrote in letters to eight registrars and hosting sites, including GoDaddy and Namecheap. *— The lawmakers are calling on the sites to spell out by April 20 *what steps they take to vet applicants seeking to register for domain names and what punishments they dole out for those doing so for unlawful purposes related to the virus. They also asked the companies to disclose whether they are cooperating with authorities regarding suspected illegal activity. Alvaro Alvarez, general counsel for domain company Donuts Inc., told MT it's reviewing the letter, but noted it's "had low case volume for coronavirus-related complaints." Other firms either did not offer or were not immediately available for comment late Monday. -- -------------------------------------- Joly MacFie +2185659365 -------------------------------------- -