Linked below is a very long-awaited report on WHOIS Accuracy. Here are the key findings from the Executive Summary: [T]here were three criteria to be met for any WHOIS record to be considered accurate: 1. Was the address of the registrant a valid mailing address? 2. Was the registrant named associated in some way with the given address? 3. When contacted, would the named registrant acknowledge that they were indeed the registrant of the domain name, and confirm all details given as correct and current? An internationally representative sample of 1419 records was drawn from the top five generic top level domains (gTLDs, covering .com, .org, .net. .info and .biz). The address for each selected case was checked against postal records and mapping data for deliverability, searches were conducted in phone listings and other records unrelated to WHOIS for a linkage between name and address, and contact was attempted with the named registrant using phone numbers obtained during the association process. Using strict application of the criteria, only 23% of records were fully accurate, but twice that number meet a slightly relaxed version of the criteria (allowing successful contact with the registrant to imply association, and requiring only that ownership of the site be confirmed, as opposed to confirmation of both ownership and the currency/correctness of all detail). Eight percent of records failed outright with obvious errors. I think the BC most likely would like to comment on this report, so ask if anyone is willing to volunteer to help with draft comments. Of course any Members comments to the list would be most welcome. Thanks, Mike Mike Rodenbaugh RODENBAUGH LAW tel/fax: +1 (415) 738-8087 http://rodenbaugh.com <http://rodenbaugh.com/> From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Glen de Saint Géry Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:54 AM To: Council GNSO Subject: [council] Public Comment: Draft Report on WHOIS Accuracy http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-3-15feb10-en.htm Public Comment: Draft Report on WHOIS Accuracy 15 February 2010 The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) recently completed a study commissioned by ICANN to determine the percentage of domain names registered under the top 5 gTLDs (i.e., .com, .net, .org, .biz, and .info) that contain accurate WHOIS data. Today, the draft report is being posted for review and comment through 15 April 2010. Community members are invited to review the draft report and its findings and comment on all aspects of the report. The information in the report is intended to contribute to the ongoing community discussion regarding WHOIS and should be useful in any future policy development process regarding WHOIS. The draft report can be found here: http://www.icann.org/en/compliance/reports/whois-accuracy-study-17jan10-en.p df [PDF, 432 KB] The Process Going Forward: At the end of this Public Comment period, ICANN Staff will review the comments submitted and prepare a summary analysis of the various submissions. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: ICANN Staff is opening a 60-day public comment, from 15 February through 15 April 2010, and invites community comments on the draft report. The formal Public Comment Forum Box is located here <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#whois-a ccuracy-study> http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#whois-ac curacy-study To Submit Comments: <mailto:whois-accuracy-study@icann.org> whois-accuracy-study@icann.org To View Comments: http://forum.icann.org/lists/whois-accuracy-study/ Staff Responsible: David A. Giza, Senior Director, Contractual Compliance Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat@gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org