Washington, D.C. | February 27, 2020
In response to the introduction of a House Resolution today by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) that highlights the need for transparency online, the Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet (CSTI) issued the following statement:
We commend Rep. Bob Latta’s ongoing commitment and leadership for keeping WHOIS data access open and accessible. WHOIS data is critical to keeping the internet a safe and secure place for all consumers.
WHOIS data is vital to law enforcement, consumer protection agencies, child advocacy groups, anti-human trafficking organizations, cybersecurity investigators, intellectual property rightsholders, journalists, academics and others. These stakeholders all rely on WHOIS to help them determine who is operating a criminal website, sending malicious (spam, phishing) emails, conducting cyber-attacks, influencing elections, propagating fake news or committing fraud under the guise of a known brand.
It is imperative that Congress act now to keeping the internet safe and transparent by removing restrictions on access to WHOIS data as a result of an over-broad interpretation of the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation.
CSTI encourages Congress to heed Rep. Latta’s call and adopt federal legislation to protect the American public from online criminals.
Related: 40 Organizations Call on Congress to Act on WHOIS Access – Sign-On Letters: Senate | House
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About the Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet
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.