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ICANN Whois Data Accuracy Issue

The issue of the accuracy of the whois data record has been around for years. The debate is about privacy and accountability. ICANN requires that the registrars make sure that the information provided by an applicant for a domain name tell the truth as well as provide a technical and adminsitrative contact. In general, registrars do not verify this information, some do, many do not. The purpose of having someone to contact in the event of problem is a reasonable one. Unfortunately, it is much more complex. For example, putting false information is one way criminals can hide. If the registrars were to all verify the accuracy of the whois data, the amount of spam would tumble overnight.

In the real business world, enterprises have contact information available, like a DUNS number, a tax ID number, perhaps a trademark for their name or product. If the enterprise is a public company, then the SEC requires reports, such as the 10K report. Shadow companies are a bit of a problem, but they exist. In general, businesses file papers with their respective state for incorporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or something similar. It gives the enterprise permission to do business and to protect the name of the business. There is no reason for the web based business to be different.

The invidual who uses a dot com domain name is in a slightly different position. The privacy of an individual is not the same as a business. Perhaps individuals should use the .name domain to protect their privacy instead of the .com domain with the right to protect personal information.

ICANN has been struggling with this issue along with everyone else. Last spring ICAAN went trough a major ordeal to shutdown RegistryFly and get their hands on the registrant information, which eventually went to GoDaddy. RegistryFly was a rogue operation that allowed spammers and scam web sites to function without restraint. Other registrars need to have similar treatment.

ICANN released a Final Report on the efforts to give every .com privacy which was simply a failure to come to consensus. This was a loss for individual privacy and a win for players like the Federal Trade Commission, Law Enforcement and spam fighters.

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