ICANN has written to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) to see if a "Universal Access Model" for domain name registration data is possible under GDPR. The letter, which was sent on Friday, also includes two other documents: Exploring a Unified Access Model for gTLD Registration DataTSG01: Technical Model for Access to NonPublic Registration Data In a blog post … [Read more...] about ICANN Asks European Data Protection Board if Universal Access Model Viable
privacy
Nominet and Brexit
Nominet, the .uk domain registry, is well aware of the possible implications of Brexit. Earlier today they sent out a reminder email to registrars to underline the options: In the case of a "no deal" BrexitIn the case of Brexit with a deal, but without specific provisions covering the transfer of personal data Essentially if the worst comes to happen then they will … [Read more...] about Nominet and Brexit
Data Transfers Post-Brexit Are Going to get Complicated
If the UK proceeds with a "no deal" Brexit, or any kind of Brexit at the end of March data transfers to the UK from EU countries will become much more complicated. At present all members of the EU are covered by the same laws (more or less) so transferring data around with the EU's boundaries isn't a problem. After Brexit the UK will be considered a "3rd country" and if you … [Read more...] about Data Transfers Post-Brexit Are Going to get Complicated
New Zealand’s Domain Name Commission Sues DomainTools for Privacy Violation
The New Zealand Domain Name Commission is taking legal action in Seattle against DomainTools. DomainTools, according to the filing, is in breach of the whois terms of use and by collecting and storing the whois data of .nz domains. The filing goes into a lot of detail about how the New Zealand country code operator has developed its whois policy over the years … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s Domain Name Commission Sues DomainTools for Privacy Violation
ICANN Writes to ALL European Union Privacy Authorities
In what could be viewed as an unprecedented move, ICANN has written to each and every data protection authority in the European Union. Why? ICANN feels that there is uncertainty about how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) should impact registrars and registries specifically in relation to the collection, processing and retention of domain name registration … [Read more...] about ICANN Writes to ALL European Union Privacy Authorities
European Data Protection Authorities Send Clear Message to ICANN
The Article 29 Working Party represents the data protection authorities of all 28 member states of the European Union. In many instances the individual DPAs prefer to rely on a high level communication from the Article 29 Working Party rather than taking individual action. As data protection law in the EU has been fairly harmonious for years this approach made a lot of sense. … [Read more...] about European Data Protection Authorities Send Clear Message to ICANN
P is for Proxy
Last night Google unveiled their new plans for global domination, which involves the company morphing into something new "Alphabet". And new TLD types around the globe rejoiced, as the online behemoth chose to use a .xyz domain name for their big reveal (They also made a funny reference to another .xyz in the source code .. ) But while "G is for Google", then "P is for … [Read more...] about P is for Proxy
Nominet Announces Whois Policy Changes
Nominet, the .uk registry, announced today a number of policy changes that impact how they handle whois data. The new policy comes after the registry conducted consultation with stakeholders. So what is changing? Essentially there are two key elements: Criteria and handling of "opt out" requests Introduction of whois privacy / proxy services Under the current … [Read more...] about Nominet Announces Whois Policy Changes
.WTF Domain Being Used In Privacy Campaign
ICANN comment periods on policy proposals don't normally garner much attention. In the case of the current comment period on proxy / privacy services, however, things are very different. To date several thousand comments have been filed, while the topic of the policy proposals has received media attention across hundreds of outlets. Today, however, I noticed some people … [Read more...] about .WTF Domain Being Used In Privacy Campaign
Help ICANN Fix Whois Conflicts With Data Privacy Law!
ICANN has opened a comment period in relation to whois conflicts with local law / data privacy law. Of course anytime ICANN, or anyone else, tries to make any changes to whois policy there are issues. Whois is, for a variety of reasons, an emotive subject. One of the areas that Article 29, several registries located in the EU and a number of registrars (including … [Read more...] about Help ICANN Fix Whois Conflicts With Data Privacy Law!