SAC 033: Domain Name Registration Information and Directory Services

In SAC027, Comment to GNSO regarding WHOIS studies, SSAC asserts that the limitations of the WHOIS protocol and variability among WHOIS implementations and services contribute to the poor quality of domain name registration data currently available. SSAC further suggests that ICANN community should adopt an Internet standard directory service as an initial step toward deprecating the use of the WHOIS protocol in favor of a more complete directory service. This companion document to SAC027 provides complementary rationale and to adds clarity to SSAC's prior comment to the GNSO.