Providing fake info during domain registration - does it matter?

Question

As you are all most likely aware already all domain registrars ask for your personal information.

Such personal information includes:

• Forename and surname
• Address information
• Email address
• Telephone number

Personal information via WHOIS

Depending on the domain type such as TLD or ccTLD this information may become immediately available after the registration of the domain via a simple whois. If you do not want that (and in most cases you certainly don't) they offer a service where you can remove this information from the whois service but of course hiding your personal information adds yearly costs to the domain purchase.

What happens if I use fake details when registering a domain?

Solution 1

ICANN (not the domain registrar) requires that all information in your registration be valid.

If any dispute arises (see the ICANN Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy rules here) you will be contacted via the means specified in your domain registration. Notice that section 14 of the rules is a section that defines what happens as part of a 'default' (in other words, they can't contact you): They'll proceed with a judgement, and you won't get a say in the proceedings.

ICANN has the power to take a domain from you and give it to somebody else.

So yes, it's important that you include valid information in your registration information.

For a comparison of a what a private domain registration looks like (compared to a regular domain registration) see this comparison: public vs. private.

Solution 2

Personally, I wouldn't insert false data. Whilst you generally should not have problems, it is usually against the rules of the registrar you are using and for some TLD's, it is against the registry's rules.

If someone chooses to complain (for any reason) and they have no way to find out who owns the record, and they kick up enough fuss, it is possible that either the registrar or the registry will delete the domain.

However, if privacy is important for you, some places offer privacy for free.

Solution 3

Yes, it matters!

At most registries it is a breach of their contract to supply incorrect information, and if caught they can cancel your domain name.

If the registration is for personal (non-trading) use then some registries (like .uk) offer an opt-out so that personal information is not revealed in the "whois" database. However the registry itself still requires your real information.

Solution 4

Well, I know this. If you are running a legit business or anything that makes profit, you want to use legit information for all legal reasons.

You are going against the registrars rules also by inserting false information. They could deny you services for violating those terms of use. You are legally purchasing a product that belongs to you and you want to make sure it belongs to you and not "Susie Sue".

Solution 5

Use private registration to avoid spam and any obvious ties to your organization.

This also lets you register and run a site like www.DirtyNastyOMGMyMotherWouldKillMeIfSheKnewIRanThisSite.com and not be the obvious owner while you work at www.KittensAndBunnyRabbitsForGoodHomes.com.

See GoDaddy's Private Registration

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Comments

[Admin]

On a related note: Some providers offer (for an extra free) "privacy protected domain registration". What does that mean?

[Bögözi]

If you don't feel comfortable using your real address when registering domains, I suggest renting a PO box at your nearest post office and using that instead.

[Admin]

Are you asking about legal, ethical, or technical implications?

[Admin]

@Thilo: which means they will register using their own information. If ICANN or a third registered entity needs to contact the owner of the domain, your registrar will provide the original info.

[hikari]

privacy protection service isn't available for all TLDs, i.e .fm

[ADTC]

If your point is to avoid the world reading your info from whois DB (which btw was a ridiculous thing invented in the 90's before anyone thought about internet privacy), the only legal way to do it is to buy a privacy protection service (like WhoisGuard). That way, ICANN can still get your real info, but the world sees fake info.

[William Entriken]

When I register a new domain I receive approx 5-10 calls per week for the next 2 months. All calls from India selling web design services.

[William Entriken]

PRO TIP: if you are using Google Voice, you can direct those calls to a special outgoing message

[Admin]

Can you provide a specific quote where it is illegal by itself and not as an aggravation?

[Lèse majesté]

Just because GoDaddy and a few other shady registrars charge money for not giving out your private info doesn't mean this is the norm. All of the following registrars provide free private registration: DreamHost, 1and1, Names.com. Namescheap, Gandi.net, etc.

[Baumr]

Based on this answer; if you enter a valid email address that you can be contacted via, then, I assume, you should be OK

[adifmac]

@Baumr, I wouldn't assume that. AFAIK, a domain registrar has the option of interacting with you via physical (snail) mail. Network Solutions started doing domain registrations that way in the early 1990's and still allows you to update your information that way today: networksolutions.com/support/…

[adifmac]

Here is a recent anecdote that shows how much this matters: jitbit.com/news/…

[Nikana Reklawyks]

Could you give examples of such places ?

[wilhil]

@NikanaReklawyks - there are loads... not sure on the rules of self promotion, so, I won't link... but, my company does it for free if people want.

[Alnitak]

please note that ccTLDs are not subject to ICANN's rules and policies.

[cjm]

As with all things legal, has someone been charged with this and the conviction held up in court?

[dan]

Well researched and documented answer. Legal entities would indeed suffice, even if their registrants or shareholders are unknown to the general public. I'd take caution with advice from reps at registrars however (as you noted), unless it's in writing from their legal department. I've been involved with UDRP's and trademark disputes on both sides, and inaccurate registrant information is the first thing litigants will point to when arguing rights and "bad faith".

[GeekOnTheHill]

Namesilo offers free privacy.

[adifmac]

@Alnitak -- you are correct, but many times the ccTLDs choose to use the language of the existing policies by default. See wipo.int/amc/en/domains/rules/cctld/index.html for more information