ICANN Punts on WHOIS Privacy Proposal

Posted by Zonk on Friday November 2, 2007 @04:33AM from the watch-out-downfield dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has essentially put off consideration of a proposal that would have dissolved a requirement that domain name registrars collect and display personal information about people who register Web site names. Privacy activists said the WHOIS database has become a data-mining dream for marketers and spammers, to say nothing of stalkers and harassers. Companies representing some of the world's biggest brand names appear to have prevailed, arguing that any change to the current system would interfere with law enforcement investigations and trademark disputes. In the end, ICANN voted 7-17 to table the issue in favor of further studies on the privacy impact of the WHOIS database."

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Re:Isn't it a good thing by ivanmarsh · 2007-11-02 04:44 · Score: 3, Interesting

Agreed... I can find out who owns any house/building in the U.S. and I can find out who owns any company because it's a matter of public record.

T.V. and radio stations have to identify themselves... I can't think of any good reason a domain owner shouldn't have to.

Individuals have a right to privacy... companies and organizations do not.