DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
[Docket Number: 230412–0099]
RIN 0660–XC058
Introduction of Accountable Measures Regarding Access to Personal Information of .us Registrants
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The
Business Constituency (BC) is the representative voice of business users of the internet and their customers as their concerns relate to governance of the domain name system (DNS). Our constituency is chartered by the
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the multistakeholder body charged with maintaining a secure and stable DNS.
The BC, over time, has carefully considered all aspects of the debate over domain name registration data (or “WHOIS”) policy as it has progressed.
While sensitive to the concerns raised in this proposed policy change for the .US country code top-level domain (ccTLD), the BC in this comment lodges again its position that WHOIS data must be accessible to the broadest extent possible. In our experience,
access to an unencumbered WHOIS database is beneficial to the public interest and helps insulate against a rising tide of DNS abuse.
Our replies to the specific questions posed in the Request for Comment are attached. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Mason Cole
Chair
ICANN Business Constituency
+1-503-407-2555
Steve DelBianco
Vice Chair for Policy Coordination
ICANN Business Constituency
+1-703-615-6206