http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/24/privacy_advocates_descend_on_proposed_domain_name_change/ Changes to Domain Name Rules Place User Privacy in Jeopardy https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/06/changes-domain-name-rules-place-user-privacy-jeopardy
Constantly putting the squeeze on the people. It is sickening. You can be sure if they get their way (and I'm sure they will), a domain name will be like opening a bank account, 3 forms of id, home address, phone number etc.
There are workarounds. I have a few totally anonymous domain names. I even use CloudFlare anonymously
If you are interested in answering their public consultation as well, you can find the link inside the following document - be aware that the questions are rather technical and some background reading on the ICANN provided documents might be needed : https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ppsai-initial-2015-05-05-en (direct link is here: https://s.zoomerang.com/s/VTLNGF5 )
What if the banks were required to make that account information public or to disclose it to anyone who merely claims to need to know it? I think a better analogy would be ISP customers. Largely because many if not all of the entities that are trying to weaken/eliminate domain privacy are also trying to weaken/eliminate ISP account privacy. So lets make that: If the proposal were ISPs being required to make account holder information for email addresses and IP Addresses public, or to disclose that to anyone who merely claims to need to know it (NO subpoena and/or other legal due process required), would Internet user's object? I'm still working to digest material, especially that related to "reveals". However, I will mention one of the things that disturbs me. ppsai-initial-05may15-en.pdf Annex E – Illustrative Draft Disclosure Framework for Intellectual Property Rights-holders Section III D If that is the working group's recommendation, it seems as though they are literally trying to prohibit privacy/proxy companies from doing the right thing. Edit: and then in F... Which has a "every disclosure request that you refuse, for any reason, will just create more work/expense for you... oh and we'll override your decision whenever we think it appropriate" ring to it.
This pending decision affects "commercial" websites. No doubt a broad definition around that. Seems like this kills the "private" registration process. So, if one wants privacy (to avoid all but say, subpoena/court order, just to keep a low profile), but not necessarily completely anonymous, what is one to do? Other than using a fake name and address, perhaps with a compliant offshore domain registrar who asks few questions, (which risks losing the domain anyway if the fakes are discovered, or if the registrar becomes delisted for non-compliance), are there means to achieve this? Set up an "anonymous" shell company, with an authorized agent so that there is a real address and real person?
ONE of the decisions will be whether or not domains used for "commercial" activity will be prohibited from using privacy/proxy services. Other decisions will apply to even the most "non-commercial" of domains. You may know this, but some readers may not. Public comment periods closing very soon: GNSO Privacy & Proxy Services Accreditation Issues Working Group Initial Report https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ppsai-initial-2015-05-05-en Close Date: 7 Jul 2015 23:59 UTC 2013 RAA Whois Accuracy Program Specification Review https://www.icann.org/public-comments/2013-whois-accuracy-spec-review-2015-05-14-en Close Date: 3 Jul 2015 23:59 UTC
Thanks mirmir and TheWindBringeth... Even if this gets watered down, looks like one will have to go the extra step to be ahead of the game.
So...... does anyone here have a 2016 update? I need to register a domain, and although the site will not be fundamentally political in nature, it may at times contain some political content, and I don't want Molotov cocktails tossed at my door at 3:00 a.m.. My current domain registrar/ site host is Netfirms, which is owned by Tucows. Being semi-competent, they advise that one can buy domain privacy, but don't say what it is or if there is a price. So..... is domain privacy attainable, and how? Thanks for any advice on this.
http://domainincite.com/19825-icann-confirms-domain-privacy-is-for-all https://www.netnames.com/insights/b...-to-the-proposed-domain-name-privacy-reforms/ https://gnso.icann.org/en/issues/raa/ppsai-final-07dec15-en.pdf <-- Final report, being implemented https://gnso.icann.org/en/group-activities/active/ppsa If you intend to register a domain and prefer some privacy then it makes sense to use a privacy service. Which should at least have the appearance of a reputable organization and publish information about its policies. Don't expect it to be bulletproof though.
Thanks for that reply and those links. By ""Don't expect it to be bulletproof though,"" are you thinking of the court-order and/or FBI sort of thing?
Here's another question which someone can perhaps help me with: if I own a domain with privacy protection and then sell the domain, does the record of my former ownership remain private, or does a sale obviate the privacy? Thanks
Mainly. If the privacy service's policies and practices aren't strong enough, a reveal *might* happen in other scenarios too. Such as in response to a convincing complaint by copyright holder and/or anti-abuse organization. Good question. I haven't been through that myself. FWIW, I expect it is possible to keep your former ownership private as long as you are transferring just the domain name rather than the domain name *and* ownership of the associated account. I'd run the question past the privacy service I intended to use, just to make sure there are no paperwork or other gotchas.
Thanks. And here's another one: I was wondering if it would not be easiest to pay my lawyer to be the registrant as a proxy for me. I'm sure a lawyer would know how to set that up, eh?