Re: [alac] GAO Report on Domain Names

[shahshah@xxxxxxxx]

> I'd be particularly interested in seeing data from outside the
> U.S.  I don't think we've ever seen a thorough report of all
> registrants' reasons for choosing to provide "inaccurate"
> information, especially presented in a non-U.S.-centric manner.  I
> hear that the recent privacy conference discussed the more
> privacy-protective practices of some ccTLDs.

If I remember correctly a survey by .nl of 1-2 years ago showed that WHOIS
data of around 45% of their registrants was incorrect/incomplete. CENTR
has data on WHOIS practices of about 40 ccTLDs. While the information by
countries may be accessible only by CENTR members, 'anonymous' results are
probably available through Gabriella Schittek(gabriella@xxxxxxxxx). Many
ccTLDs have opt-out options,e.g., for individual-name registrants.

> Does anyone have thoughts how we might gather more information on the
> subject, particularly keeping in mind that those who choose anonymity
> because they fear for their safety may not feel any more comfortable
> trusting us than the domain registration database?
>
> John and I have long disagreed on the utility of WHOIS in stopping
> spam.  I think it only catches the marginal spammers, because the
> high-volume folks have already figured out how to use fake info.  I
> also think the IP WHOIS is more likely to be useful in solving
> technical problems than domain name WHOIS.

I tend to agree with you. On the positive side, I see WHOIS as a
protection for the registrant and a propaganda tool for the web-hosting
institution that may serve as contact for registrant. It is a protection
in that it provides access to the registrant in cases of disputes.
-Siavash

> --Wendy
>
> At 02:42 AM 12/8/2005, shahshah@xxxxxxxx wrote:
>>In the 'Abstract' it is stated that <Data accuracy in the Whois service
>>can help law enforcement officials to investigate intellectual property
>>misuse and online fraud, or identify the source of spam e-mail, and can
>>help Internet operators to resolve technical network issues>. Any idea
>> how
>>much the correct portion of WHOIS has actually been helpful in these
>>directions? In dispute resolutions, false address results in the failure
>>of the DR provider to reach the registrant and hence the loss of domain
>> by
>>default. Thus here providing false information can be automatically
>>punished. Has anybody been able to combat spam through WHOIS information?
>>What 'technical network issues' have been resolved through WHOIS data?
>>Just asking for my own education.
>>Siavash
>>
>> > Dear Committee Members,
>> >
>> > The United States Government Accountability Office, an independent
>> > research and investigation department of the United States government,
>> > issued a report today on issues directly applicable to aspects of our
>> > work. The report is entitled "Internet Management: Prevalence of False
>> > Contact Information for Registered Domain Names," and I recommend it
>> to
>> > you as helpful background information. The report is available at the
>> > following URLs:
>> >
>> > Main Report:
>> > http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06165.pdf
>> >
>> > Highlights:
>> > http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06165high.pdf
>> >
>> > Abstract:
>> > http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-06-165
>> >
>> >          Bret
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>*************************************************
>>IPM/IRNIC
>>P.O.Box 19395-1795, Shahid Bahonar Sq.
>>Tehran 19548, Iran
>>Phone: (+98 21) 22 29 18 12, 22 29 03 06
>>Cell: (+98 912)104 2501
>>Fax: (+98 21) 22 29 57 00
>>Email: shahshah@xxxxxxxx, shahshah@xxxxxx, shahshah@xxxxxxxxx
>>*************************************************
>
> --
> Wendy Seltzer -- wendy@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
> Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society
> http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html
> http://www.chillingeffects.org/
>


*************************************************
IPM/IRNIC
P.O.Box 19395-1795, Shahid Bahonar Sq.
Tehran 19548, Iran
Phone: (+98 21) 22 29 18 12, 22 29 03 06
Cell: (+98 912)104 2501
Fax: (+98 21) 22 29 57 00
Email: shahshah@xxxxxxxx, shahshah@xxxxxx, shahshah@xxxxxxxxx
*************************************************