There are reports that ICANN may be closing the WHOIS query system.
I can understand some people's concerns about privacy, but you have to weigh this against loosing the ability to check out who you are doing business with on the net. As someone who uses this service almost daily, I think this will be a great loss to the net.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives...says_icann.php

Who do you think has the greater right? The site owner to remain anonymous, or the potential business partner/customer to know who they are dealing with?

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Lawrence

If a registrant wants to remain anonymous that option has always been open to them, so using privacy as a reason for discontinuing whois is a load of old cobblers. More likely to be from fiscal concerns about running it.

Kate

Added: The url gives an error message.

That's only for private individuals on Nominet, if you are a business then you have to register your UK address to the domain though many businesses break this rule. With ICANN you have to register a name and an address whether you're an individual or a business, though some registrars will provide a PO Box for the WHOIS for a fee.

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Lawrence

True, but the owner of an online business can be traced in other ways, plus, if it isn't actually registered as a company, the owner could still use the opt-out facility as a private individual. I'm thinking there's more to it than meets the eye.

Kate

The link doesn't work anymore

oooerr, their XML was showing.

I've changed the link to another page with the same story.

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Lawrence

Kewl

A lot of the comments reflect the view of many that it is extremely useful for tracking people down and fighting fraud... etc. Instead of pulling the plug, why not tighten things up a bit so that private individuals can still enjoy a modicum of privacy. Businesses, on the other hand, cannot and should not conceal their identities.

The only problem with that is that a lot of people will register as an individual (they do it now) then use it for business purposes. There are already schemes available to protect an individual's identity if they choose to use them. Personally, I'd like to see them leave the WHOIS as it is.

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Lawrence

Yeah well, as the old saying goes... if it aint broke, break it