CIRA Announcement: CIRA elicits feedback on the WHOIS Disclosure Policy

CIRA Announcement: CIRA elicits feedback on the WHOIS Disclosure Policy

June 4, 2009 – The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) will be conducting a public consultation on the WHOIS disclosure policy,
beginning June 4, 2009. The new policy, launched in June 2008, protects the privacy of individual Registrants by restricting personal information, including registrant name, home address, phone number and email address, from the public.

At the time of the policy launch, CIRA committed to holding public consultations on the WHOIS disclosure policy within one year.

The policy was designed to achieve balance between protecting the privacy of individual Registrants and providing timely mechanisms for legitimate information requests.

CIRA will be consulting with a variety of stakeholders including Registrants, Registrars, CIRA Members,  the Canadian public, legal and law enforcement groups and subject matter experts such as privacy advocates and intellectual property specialists to solicit their feedback on whether or not the policy has achieved the appropriate balance,  given the experience of the past 12 months.

The consultative process will consist of seven elements for interested parties to provide feedback, beginning with one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders.  Following that, CIRA will engage with Registrars, Registrants and Members, obtaining their views through a survey. CIRA Members will also have the opportunity to participate in the discussion through an online Member Forum beginning July 6, 2009, as well as through an open microphone  session at the Annual General Meeting on September 22, 2009.

Additionally, an open consultation with the Canadian public will be launched on July 6, 2009 in the form an electronic submission form. Please visit the CIRA website, www.cira.ca, on July 6 to provide your valuable input.

Find out more about the WHOIS Privacy Policy.

For additional information on this consultation please contact:
Jennifer Austin
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
Phone: 613-237-5335 ext. 296
Email: jennifer.austin@cira.ca