WHOIS Privacy Protect Under Attack!

[Moonlight Cat]

My domain registrar sent to me today.

Hello ***!

Did you know that your privacy rights are currently under threat? ICANN is considering introducing a rule that would impact all netizens. If you care about your online privacy, this is a big deal.

Under new guidelines proposed by MarkMonitor and other organizations who represent the same industries that backed SOPA, domain holders with sites associated to "commercial activity" will no longer be able to protect their private information with WHOIS protection services. "Commercial activity" casts a wide net, which means a vast number of domain holders will be affected. Your privacy provider could be forced to publish your contact data in WHOIS or give it out to anyone who complains about your website, without due process. Why should a small business owner have to publicize her home address just to have a website?

We think your privacy should be protected, regardless of whether your website is personal or commercial, and your confidential info should not be revealed without due process. If you agree, please contact ICANN right away and demand your right to privacy and due process. Let them know you object to any release of info without a court order. There's no time to waste -- the close date for comments is July 7, 2015.
Visit our new site RespectOurPrivacy.com and we'll guide you through the process of calling or emailing ICANN. Thanks!

http://RespectOurPrivacy.com

[MMM]

Well, it was just a matter of time. Privacy is dead (not only whois one), we just haven't noticed it yet.

[wonderpunter]

Anybody who runs a business should be contactable, small or large,, if you want to remain anonomous then don't start a business.. all consumers should be entitled to the same rights, being a anon can hinder this process of accountability

[MMM]

I agree, but I don't think it will stop there. If i had to guess, i think non business sites will follow in few years.

[wonderpunter]

I agree, but I don't think it will stop there. If i had to guess, i think non business sites will follow in few years.

Most likely.. I think personal priavte blogs should remain that, especially those that like to exercise the freedom of speech without harassment... but joe bloggs selling ebooks and trinkets from his house should have the same accountability as any other business.. rather than just ignore emails close the site down and start another.

[sweetbet]

With so many criminal elements out there from scammers, hackers, thieves, etc, I would prefer to be contactable through an email address or email form on my own site, rather than have my personal information (especially my address and phone number) posted publicly for everyone to see.

[xecutable]

At this point, as long as you have an email, or any form of a social profile, you are pretty much "out there", so I've never tried to hide my details. While I do agree this is a bit too far, transparency shouldn't scare anyone.

[MrBinaryAff]

With so many criminal elements out there from scammers, hackers, thieves, etc, I would prefer to be contactable through an email address or email form on my own site, rather than have my personal information (especially my address and phone number) posted publicly for everyone to see.

I completely agree with that.

You should have a contact form on your website as a rule, but sometimes I don't want to give me details available to public. It is not secure!

[wonderpunter]

I completely agree with that.

You should have a contact form on your website as a rule, but sometimes I don't want to give me details available to public. It is not secure!

If your a small business, Accepting payments on your site then a Contact address should be provided.. If no sales or transactions are taking place on your site then it's not needed imo

[Triple7]

It was not the question if they would do something like this, but just when they would do...

By the way, having the website at name of an offshore company, you still are having your privacy.

[Sherlock]

By the way, having the website at name of an offshore company, you still are having your privacy.

Exactly.

Btw. any business has many reasons why to stay anonymous. Gambling is illegal in many states and affiliate sites are in grey or even black area.

Who knows how will - in few years - US authorities handle websites that ever promoted the evil (yet converting) US offshore bookies? I do not see a reason why anyone should present his information. Honest business can be done anonymously as well. The offshore bookies are that case. Who is Pinnacle for example? Does anyone care?

Scammers will find their way always, via fake ID's and maybe reseller account or so if they want to be covered and untracked for 100%.

[vardan]

With so many criminal elements out there from scammers, hackers, thieves, etc, I would prefer to be contactable through an email address or email form on my own site, rather than have my personal information (especially my address and phone number) posted publicly for everyone to see.

I agree 100%, we all must have the right to privacy and protected personal information. I think my name and e-mail is more than sufficient for whois info. ICANN has all necessary personal details about domain owners and it is not obligatory to share it without my will with the whole world. Even with the whois protected, everyone can contact me, so there is no need to touch my online privacy.
I have nothing against transparency, but I would like to decide it by myself.

[Sherlock]

.eu registry has a good system - for registrations of private person's only email is shown / they can optout
.to has contact form to anonymous owner
.ru has also anonymity

there are few others like that

[alin04]

What are the best ways to remain anonymus for webmasters in the affiliate world?

[MMM]

Probably to open some offshore company. However in my opinion, unless you really go all the way and use different name, there is still a way to find you (depends who is looking and how hard).

[Moonlight Cat]

domain holders with sites associated to "commercial activity"

"Commercial activity" - what this is mean? For example if you have online shop, and sell something
from your site, accept money - i think this is "commercial activity"

But if you have only banners/links? Or "ad words". Or you sell links? Is this "commercial activity" or not?

[-Shay-]

"Commercial activity" - what this is mean? For example if you have online shop, and sell something
from your site, accept money - i think this is "commercial activity"

But if you have only banners/links? Or "ad words". Or you sell links? Is this "commercial activity" or not?

Most "small" online shops send you to a third party cashier (located on a separate, secure site for processing of the transaction and collection of the money. If done via PP or by way of another processor, the information is available automatically upon completion of the transaction (in most cases).

[Triple7]

What are the best ways to remain anonymus for webmasters in the affiliate world?

Offshore company.

[Mario The Gambler]

For me, a "commercial activity" is to sell something on its website. A website that displays advertising or which is an affiliate website (or both) is not a commercial site.


If you do not pull out your credit card to buy something, that is not a commercial website.


At least that's how I hope that things will be interpreted.


P.S. About the new rule from ICANN: is it just about American registrars or those that exist on the planet?

[TheGooner]

Let's be clear - if you accept affiliate payments - or payments for paid links / advertising - then you ARE running a commercial activity.

Google Adwords, Amazon books, anything that is sold to make a buck is a commercial activity even it it does not happen on your site.