About CSTI

Who We Are

CSTI advocates before U.S. and EU policymakers, ICANN, registrars, registries, and other stakeholders about the importance of open access to WHOIS data.

CSTI is comprised of companies, nonprofits, trade associations, academics and others who support open access to WHOIS data.  CSTI offers a “wide umbrella” for members and acknowledges that they may support different, potentially inconsistent policy solutions to specific WHOIS policy questions. However, all CSTI members agree on the following general principles.

  1. Open access to WHOIS is a critical tool in network and cyber security, consumer protection, brand protection, and anti-abuse on the internet. Losing open access to WHOIS will curtail the success of these legitimate security, policy and social objectives.
  2. Governments and law enforcement are just a few of the stakeholders that rely on the ability to access and maintain WHOIS data. Corporations, consumers, security researchers, reporters, brand owners, anti-abuse / compliance firms, and their partners also have legitimate interests in this data.

Higher volume access systems and the ability to search across the WHOIS data set are critical components of effective WHOIS access for the legitimate purposes noted above.

Founders

The Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet was founded in April 2018 by the leaders of DomainTools, LegitScript, and Spamhaus. Each is an industry leader in advocating for a transparent internet that promotes safe e-commerce and prevents criminal safe-havens online.

CSTI is governed by a charter that stipulates the coalition’s mission and governance.

Members

The following organizations are members:

  • ACT: The App Association
  • Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global)
  • The Center on Illicit Networks and Transnational Organized Crime (CINTOC)
  • Coalition for Online Accountability
  • Crucial Point LLC
  • CTO Vision
  • Domain Tools
  • Kroll
  • LegitScript
  • Liberty Shared
  • Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
  • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
  • National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA)
  • Partnership for Safe Medicines
  • Recording Industry Association of America
  • SpamHaus

With more to come 

Join Us

Membership Information

CSTI welcomes new members who are committed to the common belief that WHOIS data must remain open and accessible. Please contact us today to learn more.

Contact Us