The Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services has been convened at the request of the ICANN Board’s to help redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data, and identify a “next generation” solution to replace today’s WHOIS system.  The work of the EWG is expected to serve as a foundation to help GNSO create a new global policy for gTLD directory services.   In advance of the Buenos Aires Meeting, the EWG published its Status Update Report highlighting its progress in fulfilling this mandate.  

In this report,  the EWG highlights areas where it will conduct additional research, in an effort to produce fact-based solutions that are reasonably implementable in the new Registration Directory Services (RDS).  

The Status Report notes that

“the requirements that have been imposed by ccTLD providers in their country codes may inform the EWG in determining what levels may be appropriate for generic top level domains, beyond that which has been introduced through the 2013 RAA.   For example, the EWG’s discussions with Nominet highlighted the novel steps that have been undertaken to reduce inaccurate records.   The EWG intends to produce a more thorough catalog of existing ccTLD practices as a reference point as it examines what additional validation or verification methods should apply to the RDS.“

The EWG is reaching out to the ccNSO to invite any ccTLD member to share their experiences, if they are interested in participating in this survey of ccTLD validation practices.  If any ccNSO member would like to participate in this effort,  please kindly ask them to contact me by email at margie.milam@icann.org so that I can provide additional information related to this request.