Whois domain history vs. domain privacy

[vrcanada]

I'm wondering if anyone out there has been successful in removing whois domain history from domaintools.com . Like many others, I'm paying for whois privacy on my domains. Having previous information available via this service makes whois privacy somewhat less .. private. Granted, Whois data is public. Does that make third-party cached whois data public?

Thanks,
vrc

 

[RJ]

It's considered public information, and DomainTools has a policy to not remove history WHOIS data from their database. I don't believe there's any legal precedent on the matter of saving old WHOIS records.

 

[vrcanada]

Thanks Ron.

I don't think most purchasers of whois privacy realize that their privacy is compromised by such archives. If so, there could be some legal precedent; if not now, forthcoming. Of course, whois privacy customers who are interested in hiding nefarious activities will not likely press the issue. There are plenty of legitimate users of whois privacy though. As stated, most probably don't realize that when they purchase 'privacy' they are purchasing semi-privacy.

david

 

[vrcanada]

Here's the answer I received from Domain Tools regarding this question:
(this is what they don't tell you this when you purchase whois protection).

vrc

All the information we display on our website is legally-mandated public information and easily obtainable. Domain Tools is only a third party displaying this information. Historical information is never deleted as we consider deleting history the same as burning books.

Since you have already privatized with your registrar, all historic records from this point forward will reflect your updated information.

 

[Dave_Z]

Someone asked that question long ago:

http://www.namepros.com/legal-issues-and-disputes/203260-ni-domaintools-whois-history-legal.html

One can always sue them in Court. But they likely won't win without the law
specifically addressing this specific issue.