Canadian Internet Registration Authority ends free-for-all over personal information

June 12, 2008; 01:46 AM

OTTAWA, June 11 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) announced today that it has launched a new privacy policy and WHOIS search tool to protect the privacy of dot-ca domain name registrants. The new policy limits public access to personal information except under extraordinary circumstances or through explicit consent of the registrant.

Under the new policy the personal information of individual domain name registrants, including registrant name, home address, phone number and e-mail address, will now be automatically protected as private. Full registration information for corporate domain name holders will continue to be accessible and individual registrants may choose to make their information accessible.

Under specific, limited circumstances certain registrant contact information may be disclosed in situations arising from child endangerment offenses, intellectual property disputes (e.g. cybersquatting), threats to the Internet, and identity theft.

Protection of privacy comes first

"The new dot-ca WHOIS Policy puts Registrants first by restricting access to the private information of individual dot-ca while providing timely mechanisms for legitimate information requests," says Byron Holland, President and CEO, Canadian Internet Registration Authority.

The protection of the Internet privacy rights of Canadians is one of the advantages of dot-ca registration. The new privacy policy and dot-ca WHOIS were developed in response to online privacy concerns regarding identity theft, unsolicited email (spam), and cyber stalking.

Canada's new WHOIS Privacy Policy was arrived at following two extensive national public consultations with a variety of stakeholders. The opinions of dot-ca domain name Registrants, Registrars, the Canadian public, legal and law enforcement groups, and subject matter experts, such as privacy advocacy groups and intellectual property specialists, were all considered with the goal of creating this balanced policy.

About the dot-ca WHOIS

WHOIS is a generic term used to describe an online directory service that allows people to look up information about Internet domain names. CIRA maintains the WHOIS search tool for dot-ca (.ca) domain names on its website. The dot-ca WHOIS processes over one million queries per day allowing users to quickly determine the availability of a dot-ca domain name or to view registration information.

More information about the new privacy policy and dot-ca WHOIS is available at www.cira.ca

About CIRA

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the not-for-profit, member-driven organization that manages Canada's dot-ca (.ca) domain name registry. CIRA develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the dot-ca registry internationally. CIRA processes over 300 million requests per day to connect Internet users with over one million dot-ca Internet addresses.

For further information: or to schedule an interview: Melisa
Durak-Buljubasic, Public Relations and Communications Specialist, (613) 237-5335 ext: 294, Cell: (613) 219-5328, [email protected]; David Hicks, Director, Marketing & Communications, (613) 237-5335 ext. 292, Cell: (613) 286-5288, [email protected]

Source: www.newswire.com