Realtime Register Signs MoU with Trusted Notifier Network (TNN)

We’re pleased to announce that Realtime Register has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Trusted Notifier Network (TNN), strengthening how abuse reports relating to phishing, fraud and other forms of DNS abuse are handled across the domain ecosystem. 

As a wholesale domain platform working closely with hosting providers, digital agencies and managed service providers worldwide, we see every day how important accurate and proportionate abuse handling is for maintaining a safer and more reliable internet. 

This partnership is designed to improve the quality, consistency and reliability of abuse reporting, while keeping existing reseller operations and workflows unchanged. 

 

What is TNN? 

The Trusted Notifier Network (TNN) is a neutral, not-for-profit coordination framework focused on improving how abuse reports are validated and shared across the internet ecosystem. 

Instead of relying on large volumes of inconsistent or low-quality complaints, TNN works with accredited Trusted Notifiers that provide structured, verified and indemnified notices to intermediaries such as registrars and wholesale providers. 

All TNN notices follow the VINA standard: 

• Verified with the affected party
• Indemnified, including legal cover
• Non-automated, with human review
• Accurate, held to strict accuracy thresholds

In practice, this helps reduce uncertainty and improves the overall quality of abuse reporting. 

 

What This Means for Resellers 

This MoU does not introduce new enforcement rules or automatic takedown procedures. 
Instead, it provides access to better-quality information that supports decision-making when abuse reports are received. 

For resellers, this means: 

• Higher-Quality Abuse Reports TNN notices include validated evidence, technical context and clear categorisation, such as phishing, fraud, trademark abuse or fake shops.
• Reduced Risk of False Positives TNN explicitly rejects notices involving political speech or protected expression and continuously monitors notifier accuracy.
• Clearer Escalation Paths When action is required, the supporting evidence has already been collected and preserved, helping simplify communication with registrants.
• No Operational Changes Required The integration takes place at Realtime Register level. Resellers do not need to connect to TNN systems or modify existing workflows.

 

Which Abuse Categories Are Covered? 

Through TNN, notices may relate to: 

• Phishing and technical DNS abuse
• Online scams and fraud, including fake shops
• Trademark and copyright abuse
• Certain forms of illegal gambling, where applicable

Each intermediary decides which categories it accepts, and notices are only routed when they match that scope. 

 

Maintaining Proportionate and Responsible Abuse Handling 

Importantly, TNN is not an enforcement body. Realtime Register retains full discretion over how any notice is handled, and all existing contracts, policies and applicable laws continue to apply. This also means that reseller and registrant rights, including freedom of expression protections, remain fully respected. TNN provides trusted input to support decision-making, not mandatory outcomes. 

 

Why This Matters 

Effective abuse mitigation depends on accuracy, proportionality and trust. 

By working with TNN, we aim to: 

• Act more confidently on serious abuse cases
• Reduce noise from weak or speculative complaints
• Improve the quality and consistency of abuse handling
• Support a safer and more reliable DNS ecosystem

As TNN also highlighted in its announcement on LinkedIn, registrars and wholesale providers play an important role in the DNS abuse response chain. Structured reporting pathways help improve consistency and make abuse handling more effective across every layer of the domain ecosystem. 

We look forward to working together with TNN and the wider industry to continue improving responsible and proportionate abuse mitigation practices.