The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
is conducting a survey into the merits of allowing domain name
registrants to remain anonymous. It currently discloses personal
details of those buying .com, .net and .org domain names to the
public WHOIS database, but this opens the information up to abuse
of the data by spammers and others.
Although public access to domain name registration details
raises privacy concerns, it benefits those wanting to buy or
dispute ownership of domain names or those wanting to trace the
source of unsolicited e-mail.
At present, ICANN does not verify the identity of a domain name
registrant. For example, the registered owner of the domain name
“cherieblair.com” is listed as “DogsAndaLotOfThem”. This contrasts
with the system operated by the .uk registration body, Nominet,
which requires accurate personal details but does not list them
publicly.
ICANN invites comments from any individual or organisation
wishing to take part in the survey by the 14th August.
