What is AXEL?
AXEL is a DNS-based protocol for labeling sexually explicit content to enable precise network filtering while preserving user privacy. It addresses failures of voluntary labeling systems (ICRA, PICS) by providing technical enforcement at the network layer.
Privacy-First
DoQ + OHTTP prevent ISP logging; zero-knowledge proofs for age verification
Jurisdiction-Aware
Content labeled universally; enforcement applied locally per jurisdiction
Opt-In
Voluntary adoption by platforms; no censorship or surveillance backdoors
IPv6-Optimized
Leverages IPv6 QoS for bandwidth optimization and flow labeling
How It Works
Content providers label their content via DNS records (similar to MTA-STS for email). Networks enforce policies based on jurisdiction (18+ in UK, 21+ in Singapore, blanket block in restrictive countries). Users attest compliance using short-lived tokens that don't leak identity.
Example DNS record:
_axel._sts.example.com. IN TXT "v=AXEL1; mode=enforce; ipv6-only=1; attestation=https://example.com/.well-known/axel/attestation"