As we pointed out last week, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) which operates the .ca registry, is about to introduce some big changes to its existing WHOIS policies. The changes are largely associated with what information WHOIS databases, registrars and resellers are able to disclose about registrants.
These upcoming changes will have a pretty significant impact on some of our .CA policies. Specifically:
Our public WHOIS database, like CIRA's, will protect registrant information by default. All personal information about individual registrants will be kept private, including the name of the Registrant and the name and any contact information.
- Registrants have the ability to disable WHOIS privacy from the CIRA registrant interface if they choose to do so. It is enabled by default.
- Corporations and organizations will have the option to request similar WHOIS protection in special circumstances. It is disabled by default.
- Interested third parties will still be able to contact the registrant by using a contact form available on CIRA's website (similar to other WHOIS privacy services).
- Resellers will be required to keep registrant information confidential, revealing personal information via telephone or otherwise under very specific circumstances only.
These changes will come into effect on June 10. CIRA will begin messaging registrants about the upcoming changes this week.