No Phone # Listed In Whois?

[Joe]

In looking at various domain registrations in the WHOIS, it is clear that inaccurate whois data is rampant on the net. However, where is the line drawn? Clearly, some domain registrations are inherently inaccurate, false, or littered with fictitious or missing information. But what about a missing phone #? Or a missing country code in the phone #?

Will a domain name registration be subject to cancellation for minor ommissions? Does ICANN require that a person who registers a name also have a phone line, and the phone # be active and listed in the whois? Another way to look at this, is having a phone line a prerequisite to owning a domain name per ICANN policy? Or, is the policy geared towards having accurate contact information, which may include just a name, mailing address and email address?

Anyone with thoughts and expertise on this subject is encouraged to reply.

-Joe

 

[Mr Webname]

.org Registry (pir.org) did have a purge some months ago requiring correct information or withdrawal of the domain. I don't think anyone else cares enough to do anything about it - a year or so ago I made a complaint following a fraudulent transaction involving such a domain, it got nowhere.
It would take a major initiative on the part of ICANN/the Registry's to change the current situation.

 

[OgieOgalthorpe]

You can always file a complaint - I would think that the registrar would give the person a chance to update before considering a cancellation.

 

[Blarian]

ICANN will never verify every phone # listed on a domain name.... but I've seen a few extremely weird looking whois' showing a warning message from ICANN stating that if the whois information is not updated with real information the domain would be deleted. :cheeky:

 

[Bender]

http://whois.sc/razvan.org
I filed a complaint too a long time ago regarding that whois, and...it is still there.

 

[Joe]

re: razvan.org

yup, certainly doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the contact information for razvan.org is fake. I've seen hundreds if not thousands of domains with garbage contact information like that.

I guess it ultimately boils down to the individual registrar to enforce the ICANN rules. Some registrars are far better than others in complying with the rules and regulations set forth. Clearly, with respect to this issue, there is lacking any real consistency in the domain name industry.

-Joe

 

[Honan]

http://whois.sc/razvan.org
I filed a complaint too a long time ago regarding that whois, and...it is still there.

Did you use this form
http://wdprs.internic.net/

?

 

[Joe]

Did you use this form
http://wdprs.internic.net/

?

Yes, I am aware of that form. What I'm trying to determine is whether it is against ICANN policy to NOT have a phone # listed in the whois? It seems ICANN is concerned that contact information be accurate for a domain registration, and I certainly understand this. However, it is not clear whether a phone # is required to be listed in the whois. In other words, if a registrant's name, mailing address, and email address are accurate....is that all that ICANN requires? Or, is a phone # ALSO required? It seems that IF a phone # is required, then such is a pre-requisite for registering a domain name? No telephone line, no domain name. hmmm.

-Joe

 

[Honan]

Yes, I am aware of that form. What I'm trying to determine is whether it is against ICANN policy to NOT have a phone # listed in the whois? It seems ICANN is concerned that contact information be accurate for a domain registration, and I certainly understand this. However, it is not clear whether a phone # is required to be listed in the whois. In other words, if a registrant's name, mailing address, and email address are accurate....is that all that ICANN requires? Or, is a phone # ALSO required? It seems that IF a phone # is required, then such is a pre-requisite for registering a domain name? No telephone line, no domain name. hmmm.

-Joe

Yes Joe
A contact voice telephone number is required to be listed in whois. See
http://www.icann.org/registrars/ra-agreement-17may01.htm#3.3.1.8

It is only a contact number. The registrant doesn't have to own the phone.

Also the last line of http://www.icann.org/whois/wdprs-report-final-31mar04.htm says "In ICANN's planning for Fiscal Year 2004-05, there is provision for additional dedicated staff resources to monitor the Whois Data Problem Report System, to obtain accurate and useful statistical data, and to monitor registrar and registry compliance with Whois service, privacy and accuracy obligations."

 

[Jonathan]

Why do you guys report domains that have fake whois info? Because you want the names to drop so you can get them or what?

 

[Bender]

Did you use this form
http://wdprs.internic.net/

?

yes.
I received a reply from them(actually it was a bot that replyed) a few months later asking for updates.
Maybe the system works, and it works (too) slowly.

 

[Joe]

Thanks JOEMART.

-Joe

 

[nbebout]

I had reported some domains for invalid contact information, and at least one of those was no longer registered when I got the email survey back to see if the information had been fixed

 

[Pronpost Guy]

Why do you guys report domains that have fake whois info? Because you want the names to drop so you can get them or what?

My thoughts exactly. It cannot simply be because someone is "breaking the rules". That is schoolyard stuff...