Based
on the outcome of the internet community recommendations, the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has unveiled a trial version
of its proposed WHOIS website.
ITRealms confirms that the beta version
is to improve accountability and transparency that ICANN launched the first
phase of a new "one-stop" online resource about the WHOIS directory
service.
“This
new information website provides a clear and easy-to-understand explanation of
how to access existing WHOIS information on who has registered domain names. It
also makes it easy to notify relevant parties of a data accuracy issue,” ICANN
official disclosed to ITRealms.
In
furtherance of ICANN bottom-up, members of the community are invited to view
the beta site and provide comments
via feedback forms, stressing that ICANN staff and the design team would
consider all comments and suggestions as we continually improve the site.
ITRealms notes that before now, it was
difficult to get a holistic understanding of WHOIS as information was highly
distributed over many different websites.
“This
new website, whois.icann.org, will be a centralized
location for all WHOIS information, making it easier to learn about WHOIS,
raise accuracy issues about WHOIS information and how to contribute to WHOIS
policies,” official confided in ITRealms,
just as ICANN expects to launch an integrated search function in January 2014 as
part of the site's second phase.
The
WHOIS directory service, ITRealms
recalls, is an essential tool used by many people and organizations every day,
who needs to know who is behind a website, domain name; could look it up via
WHOIS directory information.
Hence,
the network administrators, registry operators, domain name registrants,
governments, law enforcement, consumer groups, and the international Internet
community find it crucial.
So,
in addition to identifying domain name holders, WHOIS data also allows network
administrators and others to find and fix system problems and to maintain
Internet stability.
“With
it, they can determine the availability of domain names, combat spam or fraud,
identify trademark infringement and enhance accountability of domain name
registrants. WHOIS data is sometimes used to track down and identify
registrants who may be posting illegal content or engaging in phishing scams,”
ICANN stated.
Noteworthy,
ITRealms gathered is that Affirmation
of Commitments requires ICANN to "maintain timely, unrestricted and public
access to accurate and complete WHOIS information...." which also calls
for a review of WHOIS policy and its implementation every three years to assess
its effectiveness in meeting legitimate needs of law enforcement and promoting
consumer trust.
ITRealms learnt that this new website which
is on trial version currently is the result of recommendations made by the last
review panel.
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