RE: [gnso-whois-study] Agenda for 5 August Whois Hypotheses Group Call

["Metalitz, Steven" <met@xxxxxxx>]

The following excerpt from ICANN's semi-annual contract compliance
report released last week is relevant to Area #7, agenda item 5a.   The
full document can be found at
http://www.icann.org/en/compliance/reports/contractual-compliance-audit-
report-29jul08-en.pdf.  
 
Steve
 
E. Whois Data Accuracy Study 

 

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY 

With the goal of providing useful information to ICANN constituencies
and the Internet community regarding Whois data accuracy, ICANN launched
a Whois Data Accuracy Study in November 2007. The Whois Data Accuracy
Study was designed to assess, with a standard degree of accuracy, the
percentage of Whois data accuracy that exists within a representative
sample of the gTLD population. This is the first study of this type to
be conducted by ICANN. To allow sufficient time to complete planning,
execution and analysis of findings, it is estimated that the study will
take approximately 12 to 15 months to complete 

 

PROGRESS 

With the assistance of a statistician, ICANN developed a sampling plan
to extract a representative sample of domain names from the gTLD
population. As part of the sampling plan, an algorithm was developed to
determine the appropriate sample population size - one that provided
acceptable accuracy and certainty levels. ICANN selected a sample from
an infinitely large data base that provided a measure of accuracy to +/-
5% with a certainty of 95%. Next, staff randomly selected domain names
in accordance with statistical sampling practices. 

 

After randomly selecting a representative sample population of domain
names and determining that the representative sample includes domain
names with addresses in approximately 45 countries, staff commenced the
process of clearly defining the methodology to verify the accuracy of
each domain name Whois data set. 

 

After completing a trial Whois data accuracy verification process for a
small number of domain names, staff's results indicated a number of
issues to be addressed in the actual survey. Additionally, staff
documented several obstacles that made it extremely difficult to verify
the accuracy of names and addresses. 

 

In the interest of providing reliable and useful information regarding
Whois data accuracy, it was determined that a credible entity with
significant experience conducting name and address verifications should
be consulted before continuing. Accordingly, ICANN staff undertook a
search to find institutions that provide name and address verification
services. After developing and transmitting a needs statement, ICANN
received proposals from several companies that purported to provide name
and address verification services and/or research analysis services.
Staff is in advanced discussions with one organization. 

NEXT STEPS 

ICANN is engaged in contract negotiations with a highly respected
research institution to collaborate in developing a sampling plan and
multi-stage methodology to determine the accuracy of the Whois data
across all gTLDs. 

 

________________________________

From: owner-gnso-whois-study@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-gnso-whois-study@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gomes, Chuck
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:41 PM
To: gnso-whois-study@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gnso-whois-study] Agenda for 5 August Whois Hypotheses Group
Call


Attached and pasted below is the Agenda for our next Whois Hypotheses
Group Call on 5 August.
 
Chuck
 
 
Meeting Agenda for Whois Hypotheses Group  5 August 2008

 

15:00 UTC [08:00 PDT (California), 10:00 CDT (Cedar Rapids), 11:00 EDT
Washington DC), 16:00 BST (London), 17:00 CEST (Brussels)]

 

Note:  The meeting will be recorded.

 

References:

 

Wiki:
https://st.icann.org/whois-hypoth-wg/index.cgi?whois_hypotheses_wg
<https://st.icann.org/whois-hypoth-wg/index.cgi?whois_hypotheses_wg>  

 

Summary of public suggestions:
https://st.icann.org/data/workspaces/whois-hypoth-wg/attachments/whois_h
ypotheses_wg:20080709221045-0-19696/files/WHOIS-study-suggestion-reportw
ith%20GAC%20%202008%20original%20hypotheses%208%20July.doc
<https://st.icann.org/data/workspaces/whois-hypoth-wg/attachments/whois_
hypotheses_wg:20080709221045-0-19696/files/WHOIS-study-suggestion-report
with%20GAC%20%202008%20original%20hypotheses%208%20July.doc>  

 

1.      Welcome

2.      Roll call (Glen)

3.      Agenda approval

4.      Follow-up discussion on the following (if needed) and
finalization of the hypotheses for:

a.       Area 5: Impact of WHOIS data protection on crime and abuse (#6,
#13, GAC #11, GAC #1, GAC #2)

b.       Area 6: Proxy registrar compliance with law enforcement and
dispute resolution requests (#3, #20, Metalitz comment, #12)

5.      Continue developing hypotheses:

a.        Area 7: Whois data accuracy (#8, # 11)  [Note that James
provided draft hypotheses that are in the table on the wiki.] 

b.      Area 8: Other GAC recommendations (GAC #1, GAC #5, GAC #6, and
GAC #3)  [Note that Eric Brunner-Williams provided draft hypotheses that
are in the table on the wiki.]

6.      Develop action plan with timelines for sending full set of
hypotheses to those who proposed the studies for their feedback.

7.      Next meeting:  Tuesday, 5 August 2008, 15:00 UTC  (This may be
changed depending on 6 above.)

8.      Action items

a.       Chuck: Prepare and distribute meeting recap NLT 30 July

b.      All:  Review the hypotheses developed for Areas 7 & 8 and
provide any comments on the list before (insert deadline).

c.       Liz:

1.      Prepare and distribute list of completed hypotheses NLT 30 July

2.      Prepare final document with all proposed hypotheses and
introductory information.

d.      Glen:  Send final document to those who proposed the studies for
their feedback with a response deadline of (insert date).