Study Suggestion Number 11

[study-suggestion-response@xxxxxxxxx]

Submitted By:
[Redacted for privacy reasons]

Topic:
Impications for data accuracy when IDN TLDs are used in Whois records

Hypothesis:
The use of IDN characters in TLDs will impair the accuracy and readability of 
Whois records displaying the domain name, email addresses, and name server 
addresses.

How the hypothesis could be falsified:
This hypothesis could be falsified if technical analysis reveals no risk of 
decreased data accuracy and usability when IDN TLDs are used in WHois records. 

Utility:
If analysis supports this hypothesis, ICANN should undertake policy development 
to amend requirements for Whois data collection and display.  

For instance, ICANN could require contracted parties to perform syntax checking 
when users enter any Whois data that could contain IDN characters.   

In addition, ICANN could require contracted parties to display Whos information 
containing IDNs in multiple formats to increase usability for those accessing 
the information.  (e.g. display punycode, Unicode, and font-rendered forms of 
domains, email addresses, and name servers)

Type of Study Needed:
This requires a technical analysis of how entry of IDN TLDs in Whois 
information could increase risks of inaccurate data, particularly through use 
of client-side software that fails to properly check the syntax of fields that 
contain both IDN and ASCII strings.   

This analysis should examine and recommend methods to display IDN-based Whois 
information such that those accessing Whois can effectvely read, recognize, and 
reliably use the information to reach registrant contacts and name server 
resources.  

Data that needs to be collected:
not applicable, since this study is a technical analysis and not a survey or 
quantitative study

Population to be surveyed:
not applicable, since this study is a technical analysis and not a survey or 
quantitative study

Sample Size:
not applicable, since this study is a technical analysis and not a survey or 
quantitative study

Type of Analysis:
This requires a technical analysis of how entry of IDN TLDs in Whois 
information could increase risks of inaccurate data, particularly through use 
of client-side software that fails to properly check the syntax of fields that 
contain both IDN and ASCII strings.   

This analysis should examine and recommend methods to display IDN-based Whois 
information such that those accessing Whois can effectvely read, recognize, and 
reliably use the information to reach registrant contacts and name server 
resources.