Reglikedomain industry desk

Owns a domain name registrar — Facebook now

Firm purchases existing domain name registrar.

Facebook now owns a domain name registrar.

As spotted by Pinky Brand today, the firm has purchased RegistrarSec.

Weekly email note from #ICANN indicates that #FaceBook has purchased a registrar https://t.co/nF6qqUgri2

— Pinky Brand (@pinkybrand) April 14, 2016

The registrar has only a handful of domain names and focuses on brand protection.

Why the buyout?

It appears RegistrarSec is part of AppDetex, a brand protection firm. Michele Neylon, who runs domain name registrar Blacknight, wonders if Facebook purchased AppDetex for some of its mobile app technology.

It’s possible that Facebook could offer domain name registrations to its billions of members. But it could also be an acquihire or technology play.

Notably, Facebook did not apply for the .facebook top level domain name.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

Domain Name Registrars in 2014: SurveyDomain RegistrarsDomain Name Registrars in 2014: SurveyDDomain RegistrarsDomain Name Promotion of All Time — The WorstOne tripled, one halved: How domain stocks performed in 2025Domain RegistrarsOne tripled, one halved: How domain stocks performed in 2025Joins GoDaddy as liason to domain investor community — James IlesDomain RegistrarsJoins GoDaddy as liason to domain investor community — James IlesWas still in beta? — Google DomainsDomain RegistrarsWas still in beta? — Google DomainsLDomain RegistrarsLiveDoor executive found deadGoDaddy gets two more patentsDomain RegistrarsGoDaddy gets two more patentsTeam Internet lays off 200, revenue plummets: Google ImpactDomain RegistrarsTeam Internet lays off 200, revenue plummets: Google ImpactSquarespace continues to fall, Gname surges: .Com rankingsDomain RegistrarsSquarespace continues to fall, Gname surges: .Com rankings