NEW YORK – There has been no shortage of Data Privacy Leaks in the world; it almost seems like there is a new one every day. However, removing the public registration data behind all domain name registrations makes no-one any safer, and only adds more obscurity and complications to the business for those who buy, sell and trade online, and not just in domains.
It’s more a solution that’s looking far-and-wide for its problem.
For instance, when someone registers a domain name, they explicitly agree that ‘very basic information’ will be listed publicly throughout the world, even in the UK. This likely keeps a large number of people ‘in line’ so to speak, as they know it’s fairly easy for them to be identified. If for some reason they’re not comfortable with this, they do have the option to register the name privately, with some services for free, while others charge a small fee.
If it isn’t broken, what exactly are we fixing?
To wipe out a necessary and freely available tool to protect the maximum amount of online activities, not just by state and federal law enforcement, but for anyone who believes they have a genuine need-to-know, is just plain old foolish.
The WhoIs database is a very necessary tool and it allows businesses, attorneys and the general public an opportunity to better know who their doing business with online; to remove that necessary transparency, doesn’t make sense, creates unnecessary red-tape for the domain business – on all sides, the registrar, the registry and the registrant, not to mention is a giant mistake waiting to be discovered.
The web can often be a place where unscrupulous people or even thieves and hackers find a level of comfort hiding behind a website or domain. Why make it even easier, cheaper, or the status quo, for them to hide? Fear of the UK’s GDPR isn’t a good enough reason; let them police their own nation.
About The Author: John Colascione is Chief Executive Officer of Internet Marketing Services Inc. He specializes in Website Monetization, is a Google AdWords Certified Professional, authored a ‘how to’ book called ”Mastering Your Website‘, and is a key player in several Internet related businesses through his search engine strategy brand Searchen Networks®
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