New Net Privacy threat - sale of activists details and history
Free Beer | 15.11.2007 08:11 | Culture | Repression | Technology
Domaintools.com introduces Registrant Search, selling full lists of the internet domain names which people own together with their address, email and telephone. This is a major threat to privacy, and a direct threat to the physical safety of many who run websites of any kind. Even entering just an email address yields someone's name, address, telephone, and websites.
There is a major threat to owners of internet domain because Domaintools.com have introduced a Registrant Search. Searching just by domain name or personal name, or address, or email address, the public can see how many domains a person owns and can then buy the full details. Someone running a site years ago can still have their contact details found and sold, enabling persecution both political and personal.
Domaintools.com is using data cached from WHOIS searches to domain name registrars, despite registrars providing this information on the condition that it is not repackaged or sold. The obvious privacy violation is probably also illegal, and Domaintools the site owner could be arrested and charged under the Data Protection laws of many countries if he goes abroad.
Domaintools.com, which was introduced in early October 2007, is a threat to privacy and safety, especially for the politically active and their families. Complaints have led to a discussion on the site, where the public can post at
http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/11/registrant-search-is-it-right-or-wrong/#comments
There are reports that all activity on the site is logged and may be used later in unexpected ways, as the WHOIS search data has been.
Domaintools.com is using data cached from WHOIS searches to domain name registrars, despite registrars providing this information on the condition that it is not repackaged or sold. The obvious privacy violation is probably also illegal, and Domaintools the site owner could be arrested and charged under the Data Protection laws of many countries if he goes abroad.
Domaintools.com, which was introduced in early October 2007, is a threat to privacy and safety, especially for the politically active and their families. Complaints have led to a discussion on the site, where the public can post at
http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/11/registrant-search-is-it-right-or-wrong/#comments There are reports that all activity on the site is logged and may be used later in unexpected ways, as the WHOIS search data has been.
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