I just got off the phone with a tech/cust serv rep with iBill. The guy was actually intelligent (!) and helpful and very talkactive. I'd called regarding the ongoing crap with their Web900 payouts (still late)-- but we ended up talking about the new VISA regulations and how, as he saw it, in the long run they'll really benefit the webmaster.
When I asked how -- he explained that the main reason porn is considered high risk is the charge back/fraud issue. It's not about the content (as a lot us generally assume). And I believe this too -- when it comes down to censoring some naked pictures OR making some money, people will go for making the money. VISA is no different.
Anyway, he was explaining how in the past a customer was able to call up VISA and say, "There's this charge here from a company called CCBill and I have no idea how that got there, or what it is." Because VISA had no detailed info about the transaction they would generally lean in the customers favor and grant the charge back. Now, because each site has to give a DBA name that will appear on the customer's statement, VISA will be able to say, "Oh well that was a charge for a foot fetish website that was made two weeks ago. And, hmmmm, we can see here that a month before that there was a charge for another foot fetish site through iBill." Etc. etc.
In other words, despite the Big Brothery vibe to the whole thing, they're going to be able to stop a lot of rampant charge back situation -- which, despite what people kvetch about, DOES indeed cost VISA money as well, each time they have to deal with one. I think this is a valid reading of the situation, and despite groaning while giving out my fucking drivers lisc. number when I had to register last week, I'm gonna look on the bright side and see this new reg thing as a good thing. And then I will feel very content and satisfied and want to smoke a big bowl -- and live happily ever after. End of story. Amen.
