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ICANN Working Group Seeks To Kill WHOIS

Posted by Soulskill on from the your-computer-is-broadcasting-an-ip-address dept.

angry tapir writes "An Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers working group is seeking public input on a successor to the current WHOIS system used to retrieve domain name information. The Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services has issued a report that recommends a radical change from WHOIS, replacing the current system with a centralized data store maintained by a third party that would be responsible for authorizing 'requestors' who want to obtain domain information."

7 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Single point of failure. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A corporation is a single point of failure. As ICANN repeatedly demonstrates.

  2. How monetize "whois"... by Macdude · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is all about setting up a system to charge for access to 'whois' information. Phrases like "authorizing 'requestors'" is code for charging users.

    --
    "Grab them by the pussy" -- President of the United States of America
  3. I don't like the sound of this by Sean · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What we need is a standard format for WHOIS responses. What we don't need is some monopoly gatekeeper.

    1. Re:I don't like the sound of this by Sean · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You don't have to answer all of them. You don't have to directly answer their questions either. You could just say things like:

      - I don't want this. This system is not in my best interest.
      - I don't want to register with anyone to query this data.
      - Abuse mitigation should be handled by each registrar, this is a good way for them to differentiate themselves.
      - I don't want to pay for this system at all
      - Law enforcement should be given no special access at all. Nobody should accredit them.

      You could also contact your registrar if you own a lot of domains and let them know you don't support this move at all. Ask them to oppose it.

  4. Stupid Idea by Etherwalk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There should be a way for any person to contact any domain owner or domain-owning company. Putting a service in to vet requests will make it harder.

    This is bad. And less transparent. And less distributed. And more expensive.

  5. Re:Did i just read... by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Good ol' times. Back when we were the free world. Remember those times? Life was good. The older ones might even remember it.

    Be honest. Do you think this would happen now?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  6. Re:Horrible for network security... by icebike · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If i was getting paid each time you wanted to find out who was attacking you, I might be tempted to make sure you were attacked more often... Just sayin...

    --
    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.