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Should WHOIS Database be Entirely Public?
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posted by mpawlo
on Wednesday June 16, @04:30PM
from the kid-brother-is-watching-you dept.
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Netzer writes "In a recent CircleID article, Rod Dixon says: 'Each [WHOIS] Task Force recently published a report posted on ICANN's website on recommendations for modifications or improvements to WHOIS. The Task Force recommendations include proposals ranging from a recommendation to notify those who may be included in the database of the possible uses of WHOIS data to one that recommends ICANN offer the Internet community "tiered access" to serve as a vague mechanism to balance privacy against the needs of public access. Too many of the recommendations seem to be framed by those who view Internet users with hostility, such as the recommendation to punish domain name users when a domain name is cancelled or suspended for "false contact data," by canceling all other registrations with identical contact data. In the main, however, recommendations reflect at least a sentimental, if not serious, attempt to balance competing interests. Still, something fundamental was overlooked by the Task Forces: a reflective reconsideration whether WHOIS should be an entirely public database.'"
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Should WHOIS Database be Entirely Public?
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The Fine Print:
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them.
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by
Anonymous Coward
on Thursday June 17, @10:55AM (#1542)
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The purpose of the WHOIS database is to allow Internet site operators and users to get in touch with the operators of other sites. This is necessary to report technical problems, abuse problems, and to aid in technical collaboration. The Internet cannot -exist- without the ability of technicians and users from diverse sites to get in touch with each other.
If a site refuses to publish WHOIS contact information, then as far as I am concerned I never want to see traffic from that site on my network. After all, lacking contact information I have no reasonable way of reporting problems (spam, abuse, viruses, what-have-you) with that traffic.
So by failing to publish contact information, that site is basically telling the Internet community that it is not interested in handling problems that its traffic may cause for other sites. Such an attitude is grossly disrespectful of the cooperation which allows the Internet to exist. A site which chooses to hide itself from problems that it causes, cannot be trusted to send traffic to any other site.
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by
Anonymous Coward
on Monday June 21, @09:47AM (#1544)
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But you are ignoring the privacy factor completely. The fact is, many domain owners are not large companies. These more 'personal' owners likely fear having their full name, address and other contact details put on public display.
I like the idea of a tiered system. I have no problem with, for example, government authorities having access to the domain contact information upon request. I don't think the general public needs access to (all of) the owner details.
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Humanity has the stars in its future, and that future is too important to be
lost under the burden of juvenile folly and ignorant superstition.
- Isaac Asimov
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