Nominet offers WHOIS opt-out scheme

Nominet has responded to privacy concerns about its plans to publish the names and addresses of those who register '.uk' domain names by offering an opt-out scheme for its WHOIS database.

Individuals not wishing to have such information shown may choose for it not to be included in the database, as long as they are not engaged in online trade. Nominet made assurances that regardless of whether the opt-out mechanism is used, telephone and fax numbers, and email addresses will never be published for either businesses or individuals.

Lesley Cowley, managing director of Nominet, stated that "while the principle of improving the scope of the WHOIS search facility remains, we have changed our plans to take account of the concerns expressed."

For background discussion, see Nominet WHOIS changes fuel privacy fears.

Heather Rowe, Lovells, London