Could WikiLeaks backlash bring renewed attention to whois privacy services?
The backlash against WikiLeaks over its release of thousands of secret U.S. government documents about the war in Afghanistan is building. It’s never pretty when your web site is blamed for death.
And although the public now knows who is behind WikiLeaks, I think the situation may place more attention on the use of whois privacy and proxy services.
WikiLeaks.org was registered in 2006 using domain registrar Dynadot’s privacy service. The actual details of the whois record for WikiLeaks.org has changed many times. But as of today this is what it shows:
Registrant Name:John Shipton c/o Dynadot Privacy
Registrant Street1:PO Box 701
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:San Mateo
Registrant State/Province:CA
Registrant Postal Code:94401
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.6505854708
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email: privacy@dynadot.com
As a privacy service, Dynadot privacy shows the real name of the registrant but not the contact information.
This lack of transparency is sure to grab the attention of politicians. It’s attention that privacy and proxy services would rather not have.
Kitvy says
People need privacy. It is human right.
As long as not doing bad thing (example: criminal, etc), privacy is okay.
Nic says
Well spotted Andrew. Too true. A potential game changer in the making.
“[Privacy] is a human right”
So you say. The French disagree. They banned the burka. But then, come to think of it, .fr registration comes with whois privacy included (for individuals)!
What an interesting world we live in!!