Sheesh, you'd think people would try to keep replies on topic. Of course, I could start in on the whole topic of this post again if you'd like. 
I've been reading some of your blab, and it does sound interesting, and fun at best. I particularly liked the bit about employing a bombshell to sell your site – how original! It puts in perspective the never changing mentality of man. However, I could not help notice the grammatical errors. To use elaborate words, and enchanting terms, is eloquent, but to use them minus the appropriate grammatical marks is a sin. Do you not agree?
After seeing the level of pride in boasting of a "godaddy girl", I gotta say that Bob Parsons needs help in his advertising and marketing. There's nothing innovative or new about having a pinup girl advertise your company. There's also nothing clever about the commercial. It wasn't funny or upsetting. It was bland and boring. We all know that any model hired to do a commercial for a relatively unknown (or any) company probably hopes that it is a stepping stone to bigger and better things and doesn't want to be labeled "the company's girl". Maybe you should do something creative or noteworthy before touting your ownership of it. This is ridiculous. Was the message of the commercial supposed to be something like "go porn"? And if so, how does that relate to name registration? Bob you look like infantilized ODB. Get some help with future marketing.
Bob — I was encouraged by GoDaddy's early marketing and thought that you were considerate of the many women starting up their own businesses. After watching your 4 tv commercials, I guess this is not the case. Even with a warning that two are "controversial", it seems that your own ego is more important than your audience (Boy, the guys are gonna love this!) Are you aware that more than 70% of new businesses are started by women? And are you aware that after the 'dot-com crash' in Silicon Valley, the businesses that survived were overwhelmingly women-owned? My point is that why you may think your business will grow faster with lots of clevage exposure, you may be missing out on the majority of new business owners, who are women and are NOT impressed. The commercials are stupid if not offensive. And I believe that even my adult sons are smart enough to know that even if they get to see clevage and the Go Daddy Girl wiggling around the studio, they're not gonna plop down their dollars just for that. Grow up. You ARE the minority. I recently renewed my GoDaddy accounts, but most likely will not next year. I'm sure there's still a company that shows some dignity and respect to its subscribers. Response?
Dear Barbara,
I know that when you asked for my response you already knew what I was going to say. Correct?
There's nothing in my opinion that is offensive to women in our commercials. It's true that a few of our commercials are a little light hearted and feature an attractive actress, but where's the harm in that? Those commercials are intended for channels that enjoy those types of commercials. For example, The rodeo commercial will run on the outdoor network and you'll see it during pbr (bull riding events). In this case, it's entirely appropriate.
On other channels you'll see our caterer commercial (your thoughts on that?) and crazy disk jockey.
I'm well aware that many of our customers are females. Our surveys show that the vast majority of them are fine with our commercials.
To be honest, I find it difficult to understand how anyone can place the significance of our commercials, as light hearted and innocent as they are, above the values we deliver and our service levels.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
I know that when you asked for my response you already knew what I was going to say. Correct?
There's nothing in my opinion that is offensive to women in our commercials. It's true that a few of our commercials are a little light hearted and feature an attractive actress, but where's the harm in that? Those commercials are intended for channels that enjoy those types of commercials. For example, The rodeo commercial will run on the outdoor network and you'll see it during pbr (bull riding events). In this case, it's entirely appropriate.
On other channels you'll see our caterer commercial (your thoughts on that?) and crazy disk jockey.
I'm well aware that many of our customers are females. Our surveys show that the vast majority of them are fine with our commercials.
To be honest, I find it difficult to understand how anyone can place the significance of our commercials, as light hearted and innocent as they are, above the values we deliver and our service levels.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Dear D.W.,
So you think we need help with our advertising? Very easy statement to make particularly since you have no idea as to how they're performing.
I can tell you that the new series of ads which were recently launched are out performing our earlier ads by a significant margin. My Dad always told me that the "proof of the pudding is in the eating." That being the case, I think we're just fine.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
So you think we need help with our advertising? Very easy statement to make particularly since you have no idea as to how they're performing.
I can tell you that the new series of ads which were recently launched are out performing our earlier ads by a significant margin. My Dad always told me that the "proof of the pudding is in the eating." That being the case, I think we're just fine.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
I just realized this site and Go-Daddy are the web-children of Bob Parsons. I have used your old software and the upgrades since the early nineties when it was on an ole
Tandy computer with a 20 meg HD and 5 1/4 disk drive. Those were The Days. Thanks Bob for your early and late work to advance the Information Age!!!
Tandy computer with a 20 meg HD and 5 1/4 disk drive. Those were The Days. Thanks Bob for your early and late work to advance the Information Age!!!
Well I just want to remind everyone to review the book about 1984.
It obviously was published before it's time.
When there is a law about not walking up the stairs of an escalator and not sneezing in public you'll know it has arrived. Lawmakers have nothing better to do than to make laws of course so it all piles up till people get fed up and make a revolution. So when you don't walk up the stairs of an escalator you'll be a real law abiding person. And don't let your hair grow longer than inch or they'll fine you for it too!
But from the looks of all this new obsession about controlling the internet it look like 1984 is not far off.
The 2 percent of the population that are criminals seem to be causing hysterical paranoia. So 98% of the population has to suffer controls to catch 2%. It obviously benefits the security industry just like the military industrial complex benefits from created enemies. North Korea didn't have nuclear technology until the dumb US politicians gave it to them for free. What a scam. But I'm rambling now!
It's like the dumb Army Sargeant that punishes the whole platoon because one idiot did something stupid!
It obviously was published before it's time.
When there is a law about not walking up the stairs of an escalator and not sneezing in public you'll know it has arrived. Lawmakers have nothing better to do than to make laws of course so it all piles up till people get fed up and make a revolution. So when you don't walk up the stairs of an escalator you'll be a real law abiding person. And don't let your hair grow longer than inch or they'll fine you for it too!
But from the looks of all this new obsession about controlling the internet it look like 1984 is not far off.
The 2 percent of the population that are criminals seem to be causing hysterical paranoia. So 98% of the population has to suffer controls to catch 2%. It obviously benefits the security industry just like the military industrial complex benefits from created enemies. North Korea didn't have nuclear technology until the dumb US politicians gave it to them for free. What a scam. But I'm rambling now!
It's like the dumb Army Sargeant that punishes the whole platoon because one idiot did something stupid!
Great potential for a news story. I am trying to raise money for the recent contender that left the show, Anthony Bonsante. I was moved by his dedication to his children and even though he didn't win the million, I would like to raise at least $50,000 to present to him.
I figure if savetoby.com can raise 50K for a rabbit, I can raise it for a single father who loves his kids. The website is http://bullet.profitdoc.com/
Please let me know if you can do anything to promote this, I think it is a well deserved cause.
Dave Brown
I figure if savetoby.com can raise 50K for a rabbit, I can raise it for a single father who loves his kids. The website is http://bullet.profitdoc.com/
Please let me know if you can do anything to promote this, I think it is a well deserved cause.
Dave Brown
Bob
Hi
I am very happy to say that I listened to your first radio talk show after I got to download the show to day.
I am behind you 110% on the right to privacy.
I have been with you for over 5 years as GODADDY.COM HAS BEEN HOSTING MY WEB SITES.
How can they in DC do something like this to us all?
I make custom photos dog tags on a AZ. Base and have around the world sales.
I list photos of my work on my website for free, so loved ones & friends can go to my website to see their photos.
I all so do custom pet tags as well.
I don't put the owners address on the dog tags, just the pet name and phone numbers.
I get asked all the time "why didn't you put my address on the dog tags?"
I just replay that, If your dog tag or your pet dog tag ever gets lost, I don't have to worry about a very bad person coming to your door.
It's better for them to call you than showing up on your door step.
If we the people let them enforce this new bill,
It will show them they can do just about anything,
on down the road, with our right to privacy.
I don't want a nut coming to my house, just because he got my personal INFO from my website.
Hi
I am very happy to say that I listened to your first radio talk show after I got to download the show to day.
I am behind you 110% on the right to privacy.
I have been with you for over 5 years as GODADDY.COM HAS BEEN HOSTING MY WEB SITES.
How can they in DC do something like this to us all?
I make custom photos dog tags on a AZ. Base and have around the world sales.
I list photos of my work on my website for free, so loved ones & friends can go to my website to see their photos.
I all so do custom pet tags as well.
I don't put the owners address on the dog tags, just the pet name and phone numbers.
I get asked all the time "why didn't you put my address on the dog tags?"
I just replay that, If your dog tag or your pet dog tag ever gets lost, I don't have to worry about a very bad person coming to your door.
It's better for them to call you than showing up on your door step.
If we the people let them enforce this new bill,
It will show them they can do just about anything,
on down the road, with our right to privacy.
I don't want a nut coming to my house, just because he got my personal INFO from my website.
Dear Justin,
One small correction to your email. The big problem with the NTIA decision is that it is not the result of a government bill or legislation that eliminated our privacy. Instead it was a bureaucratic unilateral decision that was made entirely under the radar, and without due process of any kind.
The way the NTIA stripped away our privacy from .US domain names is exactly the way our government is not supposed to work. You might expect something like this in Communist China, but not in our beloved USA.
I very much appreciate your post, and long time support.
Bob
One small correction to your email. The big problem with the NTIA decision is that it is not the result of a government bill or legislation that eliminated our privacy. Instead it was a bureaucratic unilateral decision that was made entirely under the radar, and without due process of any kind.
The way the NTIA stripped away our privacy from .US domain names is exactly the way our government is not supposed to work. You might expect something like this in Communist China, but not in our beloved USA.
I very much appreciate your post, and long time support.
Bob
Enjoyed your discussion of unusual names in the GoDaddy
radio show #4, especially how you came up with your current company name and stuck to it. I have over 400 domain names registered with you, some of them which are equally "strange," which I would be glad to get into a discussion about. For example, www.thisisyourbrainonline.com, or www.clickifyoulovecheeses.com and even www.domaindog.com (formerly DomainNameLab) seemed
on the exotic side at one point. There is much more to add to this list of unusual internet addresses, but I will keep it brief for the moment.
Best,
Russell Travis, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
and Social Psychology
California State University
Proprietor: Domain Dog
661-664-3159
PS: Wonderful the way you assist the writer to keep track of the number of characters being compiled, and the spell check that you provide!
radio show #4, especially how you came up with your current company name and stuck to it. I have over 400 domain names registered with you, some of them which are equally "strange," which I would be glad to get into a discussion about. For example, www.thisisyourbrainonline.com, or www.clickifyoulovecheeses.com and even www.domaindog.com (formerly DomainNameLab) seemed
on the exotic side at one point. There is much more to add to this list of unusual internet addresses, but I will keep it brief for the moment.
Best,
Russell Travis, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
and Social Psychology
California State University
Proprietor: Domain Dog
661-664-3159
PS: Wonderful the way you assist the writer to keep track of the number of characters being compiled, and the spell check that you provide!
My right's are usurped daily and nightly. As I awake into a new day. The ability for those to tear my right's, and moral accomplishments: is barbarric. people want less law suits, Government wants less law suits, yet they sit around and allow others to usurp your rights and myn.
My right then and now with my site is my personnal believe, and right. I pay for this right. I only wish I had the drive and compassion as POPE JOHN PAUL II, Yet to watch and read what is happening to my rights it makes me wonder when I will have to start wearing special clothing, so those who insist on usurping my life can.
What is the reason for such usurption? Government tries to do right, There are those who don't care. What will happen next? You will become hardened toward any type of privacy laws and will cause you to give and use false information; for many reasons that you don't realize now.
Each and every person has the ability to think. Would you allow the someone to usurp your family and your friends? Will you just sit back and let others tell you what to do?
By the power invested in me, I wont allow such usurption into my life, family, friends and future endeavors to become a file name.
No one here knows me nor do I know you. Yet, I would stand up for you, if we stood together in the fight for our life! So not standing up for your rights and stopping such usurption in our lives in a country we call America, will not only allow others to manipulate you IT will allow others to take your rights and freedom away!
CHARLES BEX
AMERICAN-VALUES.US
DEAL WITH IT
P.S.
my site is small and my own! I want to be the one who makes a difference. So if it means I fight for my right to have a .US domain, it means I will. How freaking trivial, to abuse law abiding humans that have a . US Domain.
Keep up the good work BOSS. Maybe we should start a domain called . USA
My right then and now with my site is my personnal believe, and right. I pay for this right. I only wish I had the drive and compassion as POPE JOHN PAUL II, Yet to watch and read what is happening to my rights it makes me wonder when I will have to start wearing special clothing, so those who insist on usurping my life can.
What is the reason for such usurption? Government tries to do right, There are those who don't care. What will happen next? You will become hardened toward any type of privacy laws and will cause you to give and use false information; for many reasons that you don't realize now.
Each and every person has the ability to think. Would you allow the someone to usurp your family and your friends? Will you just sit back and let others tell you what to do?
By the power invested in me, I wont allow such usurption into my life, family, friends and future endeavors to become a file name.
No one here knows me nor do I know you. Yet, I would stand up for you, if we stood together in the fight for our life! So not standing up for your rights and stopping such usurption in our lives in a country we call America, will not only allow others to manipulate you IT will allow others to take your rights and freedom away!
CHARLES BEX
AMERICAN-VALUES.US
DEAL WITH IT
P.S.
my site is small and my own! I want to be the one who makes a difference. So if it means I fight for my right to have a .US domain, it means I will. How freaking trivial, to abuse law abiding humans that have a . US Domain.
Keep up the good work BOSS. Maybe we should start a domain called . USA
Hi Bob,
Re the removal of privacy from .US domain names. Thank you, Bob, for standing up for America, freedom and democracy. I've noticed that about you before over the years I've used your company, and now this is a great thing you're doing. You have my respect and gratitude. You're one of the new crop of patriots. I wrote my Congresspeople and forwarded your email to my activist friends.
I was involved with the efforts to overturn the fraudulent 2004 election in Ohio and am engaged in trying to hold on to some semblance of sanity in America through various organizations on- and off-line. You will understand what I mean if you go to my website www.madogmusic.com and listen to my new song "Around Here" written a couple of weeks ago, that sums up in four minutes the extinguishing of freedoms that is going on in America right now at an alarming rate.
People need to understand that this is more than one incident. This is one part of the continuing chain of assaults launched every single day on our freedoms by the Bush regime. We are not entering - we are now IN - a period of fascist domination. Since the Jan 20 coronation, group of corporately-backed criminals are stripping Americans of our rights and forcing their belief system on the rest of us, while the corporate-owned-and-operated media blows smoke up our noses by covering the really important issues like the Michael Jackson fiasco.
People need to connect the dots. The atrocities that are happening every day are not isolated incidents. Together they spell corporate takeover. And the media and the White House call people who can spell, conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile we pay for an unjust, unnecessary war with our money and our blood, while our citizens starve and live in poverty and crime, while our jobs are sent overseas, while our environment is destroyed, while our rights are removed one-by-one. Well, one-by-one people will wake up and figure it out. I hope it won't be too late when they do. People need to worry about what they perceive to be little things.
Redefine patriotism… be the media.
Re the removal of privacy from .US domain names. Thank you, Bob, for standing up for America, freedom and democracy. I've noticed that about you before over the years I've used your company, and now this is a great thing you're doing. You have my respect and gratitude. You're one of the new crop of patriots. I wrote my Congresspeople and forwarded your email to my activist friends.
I was involved with the efforts to overturn the fraudulent 2004 election in Ohio and am engaged in trying to hold on to some semblance of sanity in America through various organizations on- and off-line. You will understand what I mean if you go to my website www.madogmusic.com and listen to my new song "Around Here" written a couple of weeks ago, that sums up in four minutes the extinguishing of freedoms that is going on in America right now at an alarming rate.
People need to understand that this is more than one incident. This is one part of the continuing chain of assaults launched every single day on our freedoms by the Bush regime. We are not entering - we are now IN - a period of fascist domination. Since the Jan 20 coronation, group of corporately-backed criminals are stripping Americans of our rights and forcing their belief system on the rest of us, while the corporate-owned-and-operated media blows smoke up our noses by covering the really important issues like the Michael Jackson fiasco.
People need to connect the dots. The atrocities that are happening every day are not isolated incidents. Together they spell corporate takeover. And the media and the White House call people who can spell, conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile we pay for an unjust, unnecessary war with our money and our blood, while our citizens starve and live in poverty and crime, while our jobs are sent overseas, while our environment is destroyed, while our rights are removed one-by-one. Well, one-by-one people will wake up and figure it out. I hope it won't be too late when they do. People need to worry about what they perceive to be little things.
Redefine patriotism… be the media.
Come on Bob ,
You need to rethink this privacy issue . If you want privacy then you have no business being on the internet.
The internet is a PUBLIC highway and anyone wanting to drive it with their domain needs to be fully registered with PUBLIC access so that when joeblwdomain.us decides to to trash it the PUBLIC can identify who the culprit is so they can report it to the correct authorities.
Law abiding citizens register their vehicles for public record , Law abiding citizens have nothing to hide .
Law abiding citizens want PUBLIC information PUBLIC . you want to hide ..don't register a Car , Dont Buy a Home , Don't apply for a credit card and dont register domains. The part that you are missing is this is what the majority want ..transparency.. and here you are standing up for only a few shame on you Bob .. shame shame shame
You need to rethink this privacy issue . If you want privacy then you have no business being on the internet.
The internet is a PUBLIC highway and anyone wanting to drive it with their domain needs to be fully registered with PUBLIC access so that when joeblwdomain.us decides to to trash it the PUBLIC can identify who the culprit is so they can report it to the correct authorities.
Law abiding citizens register their vehicles for public record , Law abiding citizens have nothing to hide .
Law abiding citizens want PUBLIC information PUBLIC . you want to hide ..don't register a Car , Dont Buy a Home , Don't apply for a credit card and dont register domains. The part that you are missing is this is what the majority want ..transparency.. and here you are standing up for only a few shame on you Bob .. shame shame shame
Your logic is flawed. Registration of cars and such aren't for having a public record, but to be able to tax and track you no matter where you go. No other reason. Why do you think that you can't get someone's info just by having their license plate number?
Dear Dan,
Shame on me, huh? C'mon Dan. Don't be so hard on me!
The fact is that we as Americans are entitled to privacy. That's we have things like caller ID blocking, unlisted phone numbers, post office boxes, and private domain name registrations. In the case of domain name registrations, if they are held by law abiding Americans who are enjoying their right to privacy, why take that right away?
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Shame on me, huh? C'mon Dan. Don't be so hard on me!
The fact is that we as Americans are entitled to privacy. That's we have things like caller ID blocking, unlisted phone numbers, post office boxes, and private domain name registrations. In the case of domain name registrations, if they are held by law abiding Americans who are enjoying their right to privacy, why take that right away?
Appreciate your post,
Bob
EPIC will be supporting the campaign. This is a critical battleground for online privacy. And the fact that the
NTIA would deny .US domain holders a bit of privacy
is deplorable.
More information at http://www.epic.org/ and http://www.epic.org/privacy/whois/
Marc Rotenberg
EPIC President
NTIA would deny .US domain holders a bit of privacy
is deplorable.
More information at http://www.epic.org/ and http://www.epic.org/privacy/whois/
Marc Rotenberg
EPIC President
As far as I can determine... This is similar to the adage of - "If all guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have them!"
If the Domain Name Registrars are legal - then only the ILLEGAL registrants will have illegitimate sites!
Question? Does this STOP illegal or fraudulent activity?
Answer - NO
You KNOW that the hackers and Perps WILL find a way to get around that WEAK "line of defense!"
The current technology has to get a LOT better to avoid this scenario!
Therefore, in summary... We should take the same stance of the adage that I mentioned!
We have a Constitutional right to bear arms! LEGALLY!
(Whether or not we decide to exercise that right is irrelevant!)
We still have the right!!!
We should also protect our constitutional right of PRIVACY!
(Once again... If we decide to use it - SHOULD BE OUR DECISION!)
The government SHOULD NOT have the right to infringe on our "Constitutional Rights!!!
This law would NOT make the Internet SAFER - by any stretch of the imagination!!!
(At least with our current technology)
The only sane answer - AT THIS TIME - Is to protect our Constitutional Freedom!
We KNOW that the Internet is open and free! BUT we also know that the IP addresses of emails and web sites can be tracked with our current technology!
THIS WOULD NOT CHANGE - with the new law!
The Perps would have to constantly change their IP address and tracking to stay ahead of the law!
AGAIN... this would NOT CHANGE!
The ONLY DIFFERENCE - would be that the Government (AND THE PERPS) has access to a database that is WIDE OPEN!!!
So, IF that's the case... what is the best option???
POSSIBLY... Make Domain Registrations MANDATORY - WITH PRIVATE REGISTRARS - such as Go Daddy!!!
This would INSURE that ONLY LEGITIMATE INQUIRIES - Such as a "reputable" Government Agency would have access!!!
(This is very similar to the Doctor / Patient Confidentiality that now exists!!!)
Is that SO BAD?
I personally, think this would be a good compromise between the private domain owner and the Government that is "trying" to protect us - WITHOUT our Constitutional rights being totally violated!
We "trust" the Doctor... Why can't we make the same determination to "Trust" our Domain Registrar?
We could also incorporate "rules" to enforce the Domain Registrars compliance and accountability to its customers!!!
Makes sense to me!
Any comments?
Thanks for listening!
Dennis
If the Domain Name Registrars are legal - then only the ILLEGAL registrants will have illegitimate sites!
Question? Does this STOP illegal or fraudulent activity?
Answer - NO
You KNOW that the hackers and Perps WILL find a way to get around that WEAK "line of defense!"
The current technology has to get a LOT better to avoid this scenario!
Therefore, in summary... We should take the same stance of the adage that I mentioned!
We have a Constitutional right to bear arms! LEGALLY!
(Whether or not we decide to exercise that right is irrelevant!)
We still have the right!!!
We should also protect our constitutional right of PRIVACY!
(Once again... If we decide to use it - SHOULD BE OUR DECISION!)
The government SHOULD NOT have the right to infringe on our "Constitutional Rights!!!
This law would NOT make the Internet SAFER - by any stretch of the imagination!!!
(At least with our current technology)
The only sane answer - AT THIS TIME - Is to protect our Constitutional Freedom!
We KNOW that the Internet is open and free! BUT we also know that the IP addresses of emails and web sites can be tracked with our current technology!
THIS WOULD NOT CHANGE - with the new law!
The Perps would have to constantly change their IP address and tracking to stay ahead of the law!
AGAIN... this would NOT CHANGE!
The ONLY DIFFERENCE - would be that the Government (AND THE PERPS) has access to a database that is WIDE OPEN!!!
So, IF that's the case... what is the best option???
POSSIBLY... Make Domain Registrations MANDATORY - WITH PRIVATE REGISTRARS - such as Go Daddy!!!
This would INSURE that ONLY LEGITIMATE INQUIRIES - Such as a "reputable" Government Agency would have access!!!
(This is very similar to the Doctor / Patient Confidentiality that now exists!!!)
Is that SO BAD?
I personally, think this would be a good compromise between the private domain owner and the Government that is "trying" to protect us - WITHOUT our Constitutional rights being totally violated!
We "trust" the Doctor... Why can't we make the same determination to "Trust" our Domain Registrar?
We could also incorporate "rules" to enforce the Domain Registrars compliance and accountability to its customers!!!
Makes sense to me!
Any comments?
Thanks for listening!
Dennis
Bob, godaddy is an efficient and useful tool which I have used often for a couple years now. But you are taking "privacy" way too seriously. The mass email I just received from godaddy trying to fire me up about this far-from-priority issue is laughable. "Taking" some of "my privacy" does not injure me in any way, despite all of the paranoid (and profit-making for godaddy) rationalizations to the contrary.
Dear James,
Actually I don't think I'm taking it way too seriously. You are certainly free to opt out of these announcements — at any time. If your privacy means nothing to you, then so be it. That also is your right.
Your right, we make a few bucks on the .US private domain name registrations but the key word here is "few."
Bob
Actually I don't think I'm taking it way too seriously. You are certainly free to opt out of these announcements — at any time. If your privacy means nothing to you, then so be it. That also is your right.
Your right, we make a few bucks on the .US private domain name registrations but the key word here is "few."
Bob
Sorry Bob, but you are taking this way to seriously. Big whoop you can't get private registrations on .US domains. It's not the end of the world. You want to be fired up about something, how about getting fired up about the USA PATRIOT Act, the DMCA, and other legislation that has stripped us of our civil liberties in the name of imagined security?
Dear Joseph,
Your point is well taken but I've got to start somewhere. For me that with the privacy option that was stripped away from .US domain names.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Your point is well taken but I've got to start somewhere. For me that with the privacy option that was stripped away from .US domain names.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Is that because it takes away from GoDaddy's revenue?
While I support privacy, the Internet has long been a public institution with public records. For us to be successful in self-regulating ourselves, all records need to be as transparent as possible. I do disagree, though, with the NTIA deciding this for us. The government, especially the beuracracy, needs to stay out of our (the Internet community's) affairs
While I support privacy, the Internet has long been a public institution with public records. For us to be successful in self-regulating ourselves, all records need to be as transparent as possible. I do disagree, though, with the NTIA deciding this for us. The government, especially the beuracracy, needs to stay out of our (the Internet community's) affairs
Dear Joseph,
Give me a break on the revenue issue.
What we all should be concerned about regarding the internet is that there be accountability. After all that's what needs to happen to deal with the problems.
Bob
Give me a break on the revenue issue.
What we all should be concerned about regarding the internet is that there be accountability. After all that's what needs to happen to deal with the problems.
Bob
#13.1.1.1.1.1 bob parsons on Apr 3 2005, 12:39 Reply
Well considering that your the CEO/Owner of GoDaddy, I can't give you a break on that issue. It's relevant because of your position within the company.
There is accountability, though. Private registrations have nothing to do with accountability, in fact they encourage the lack of it (e.g. since you can't find out who I am, I can do and say what I want w/o regard to anything or anyone).
Now there are valid reasons for wanting privacy (e.g. I'm a registered sex-offender and I want to blog about why I did what I did and how I've come to see the light, with private registration he can avoid receiving death threats through the mail and over the phone and the like), but accountability isn't one of them.
If not revenue, then why so fired up about this? Were you this fired up when Network Associates started redirecting 404 Errors to pages full of ads (dirty, underhanded and un-ethical)? How about when router manufacturers tried to use OpenSource code and not release their implementation as open source as well (per the license of the original, and yes, they did eventually capitulate under enormous pressure)? Lets get fired up, Bob, but lets do it for the right reasons.
The right reasons for me?
It was done unilaterally w/o consent of the people via gov't agency not directly answerable to anyone but congress.
It's done to increase imagined security, similar to the rationalization for passing the USA PATRIOT Act.
Those are some of the right reasons to be fired up about it, Bob. Not because it takes away from revenue and certainly not because any rights are being infringed (yes, we have a right to privacy but you do not have a reasonable expectation to it when in full view of the public).
There is accountability, though. Private registrations have nothing to do with accountability, in fact they encourage the lack of it (e.g. since you can't find out who I am, I can do and say what I want w/o regard to anything or anyone).
Now there are valid reasons for wanting privacy (e.g. I'm a registered sex-offender and I want to blog about why I did what I did and how I've come to see the light, with private registration he can avoid receiving death threats through the mail and over the phone and the like), but accountability isn't one of them.
If not revenue, then why so fired up about this? Were you this fired up when Network Associates started redirecting 404 Errors to pages full of ads (dirty, underhanded and un-ethical)? How about when router manufacturers tried to use OpenSource code and not release their implementation as open source as well (per the license of the original, and yes, they did eventually capitulate under enormous pressure)? Lets get fired up, Bob, but lets do it for the right reasons.
The right reasons for me?
It was done unilaterally w/o consent of the people via gov't agency not directly answerable to anyone but congress.
It's done to increase imagined security, similar to the rationalization for passing the USA PATRIOT Act.
Those are some of the right reasons to be fired up about it, Bob. Not because it takes away from revenue and certainly not because any rights are being infringed (yes, we have a right to privacy but you do not have a reasonable expectation to it when in full view of the public).
Dear Joseph,
There is accountability with private registrations. If there is anything illegal or unacceptable with the site, the privacy disappears. It's that simple.
Your arguments regarding revenue are tiresome. So what if I make a profit. Shoot me why don't you.
I never once said that I was arguing over the NTIA decision because of lost revenue. Those are your words, not mine.
Bob
There is accountability with private registrations. If there is anything illegal or unacceptable with the site, the privacy disappears. It's that simple.
Your arguments regarding revenue are tiresome. So what if I make a profit. Shoot me why don't you.
I never once said that I was arguing over the NTIA decision because of lost revenue. Those are your words, not mine.
Bob
#13.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 bob parsons on Apr 4 2005, 00:29 Reply
Thank you for a very convincing perpsective on this "midnight" legislation. I find it hard to believe that such ignorance of these realities were prevalent when this deicsion was made to remove provacy from the .US domain. I would like to hear the arguments made by the decision makers to get their point of view before I scream outrage. Where can we find this? WIll you make a posting available to us?
Dear Mitchell,
The NTIA did this entirely under the radar and other than the link I'm providing you here there is nothing yet available on the internet. But to see the process and the documents involved go to the following URL and click on the "Letter" links:
http://www.thedangerofnoprivacy.com/ntialetter.php
Appreciate your post,
Bob
The NTIA did this entirely under the radar and other than the link I'm providing you here there is nothing yet available on the internet. But to see the process and the documents involved go to the following URL and click on the "Letter" links:
http://www.thedangerofnoprivacy.com/ntialetter.php
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Bob-
Thanks for the article — it's very well written and not the usual marketing drivel we get from most companies. Keep up the good work.
-Will
Thanks for the article — it's very well written and not the usual marketing drivel we get from most companies. Keep up the good work.
-Will
I am not surprise by this decision. Since 9/11, many of our rights are been quietly taken away. In fact because of the Patriots Act, you can't even get your own file from any government agencies, such as the FBI and CIA unless court ordered. The media because of their power can get your private file, yet who the file is on...can't.
I hope this country is waking up to the facts that this Bush Adminstration is slowly become a dictatorship. It will be hard if not impossible to impeach Bush with the laws he slipped through late one night when no one realized what was going on. God help us all.
I hope this country is waking up to the facts that this Bush Adminstration is slowly become a dictatorship. It will be hard if not impossible to impeach Bush with the laws he slipped through late one night when no one realized what was going on. God help us all.
Ms. Hillman,
You are absolutely correct and you are the only one on this blog that comes close to seeing the reality of what is happening. This is not just about privacy or domain fees for privacy. As Jennifer stated since 9/11 the government is using the patriot act 1 and 2 to take away our freedoms in the name of national security and that is only the tip of the ice burg. Rather than ramble on about how our freedom is being taken away, let me point you to a few websites that will show you what is really happening to our once so great country while America sleeps. And as Jennifer said, God helps us. But God also says we must help ourselves.
http://www.infowars.com/
http://www.prisonplanet.com/
http://www.inf owars.net/front.html
You are absolutely correct and you are the only one on this blog that comes close to seeing the reality of what is happening. This is not just about privacy or domain fees for privacy. As Jennifer stated since 9/11 the government is using the patriot act 1 and 2 to take away our freedoms in the name of national security and that is only the tip of the ice burg. Rather than ramble on about how our freedom is being taken away, let me point you to a few websites that will show you what is really happening to our once so great country while America sleeps. And as Jennifer said, God helps us. But God also says we must help ourselves.
http://www.infowars.com/
http://www.prisonplanet.com/
http://www.inf owars.net/front.html
Ok, this is absolutely absurd. I am loyal GoDaddy.com customer. I have been for years. I also speak out against anything that can remotely damage freedom (including almost every aspect of the Patriot Act).
However, first of all, freedom of privacy for a business isn't provided for in the consititution or anywhere else.
Second of all, if ANYONE is depending on these "add-on" services provided for privacy from domain companies, then they are too ignorant to be in business. And if they are not in business, they are more than welcome to use the one million free hosting companies which provide you a sub-domain for free. Companies like no-ip.com allow you to use their sub-domains free of charge and without disclosing any information. And numerous "homepage" hosting companies will give you a directory under their primary domain, many times, also free of charge.
If you want privacy for your business (which I don't support as it usually means shady business practices), there are states that you can incorporate in that protect your identity from the corporation. However, incorporating in ANY state will provide you the kind of privacy that GoDaddy was offering. Ownership through indirection.
This is a lot of yelling and screaming by a company who doesn't want to lose an add-on service which they find very lucrative.
Do a search for incorporating yourself. It's practically free in today's world. And I can assure you, this is no doubt why they deemed these claims and such as too silly to even address.
Freedom of speech is provided for but not anonymous freedom of speech! You want to be heard?!?! We want to know who we are hearing!
But even having said that, you CAN still be anonymous and heard on the internet, just not if you are trying to look professional by owning a .US domain name!
Also, if I continue to get e-mails from GoDaddy.com about this, I will likely speak with my money and take my 20+ domain names elsewhere as well as new ones that I register.
However, first of all, freedom of privacy for a business isn't provided for in the consititution or anywhere else.
Second of all, if ANYONE is depending on these "add-on" services provided for privacy from domain companies, then they are too ignorant to be in business. And if they are not in business, they are more than welcome to use the one million free hosting companies which provide you a sub-domain for free. Companies like no-ip.com allow you to use their sub-domains free of charge and without disclosing any information. And numerous "homepage" hosting companies will give you a directory under their primary domain, many times, also free of charge.
If you want privacy for your business (which I don't support as it usually means shady business practices), there are states that you can incorporate in that protect your identity from the corporation. However, incorporating in ANY state will provide you the kind of privacy that GoDaddy was offering. Ownership through indirection.
This is a lot of yelling and screaming by a company who doesn't want to lose an add-on service which they find very lucrative.
Do a search for incorporating yourself. It's practically free in today's world. And I can assure you, this is no doubt why they deemed these claims and such as too silly to even address.
Freedom of speech is provided for but not anonymous freedom of speech! You want to be heard?!?! We want to know who we are hearing!
But even having said that, you CAN still be anonymous and heard on the internet, just not if you are trying to look professional by owning a .US domain name!
Also, if I continue to get e-mails from GoDaddy.com about this, I will likely speak with my money and take my 20+ domain names elsewhere as well as new ones that I register.
Hi,
I'm conflicted about this.
In the pursuit of criminals traceability to an IP block owner is essential.
On the other hand I've become a target because of my admittedly aggressive tactics in searching for and helping to bring down some of the nastier ones.
I've finished a 50+ page document on basic security I
will post soon for download. This post is basically trying to sort some ideas out on the issue with respect to security.
I would like to add "Expert Marksman" or "Avid NRA Supporter" to my record as a deterrent but do not know if that is possible or appropriate. Admittedly many would
not regard this as an acceptable solution (no offense intended).
Having an unlisted phone number, address or using a
PO Box are accepted means of keeping away unwanted visitors.
Seemingly these simple deterrents should exist in cyber
space as well since unlisted phone numbers and PO Boxes
do not seem to hinder law enforcement.
Perhaps a distinction between Commercial Registration
and Personnel Registration could be made with the Personnel allowed to be private.
Ideally Abuse of Private Registration would need to result in an
immediate "Outing" by the ISP or even termination of the account.
However, Those that specialize in spam and porn clients do not seem to react very fast
to transgressions and abuse.
The threat of retaliation for Bad Actors needs to be believable.
Law enforcement can only to so much and the Laws themselves
Are subject to being ignored or watered down.
I’ve always felt the “Black Hole List” was an effective deterrent.
IMHO civil libertarians (and perhaps some in the DOJ) argument that the BHLs
were “possibly illegal” were misguided.
Maybe that would be a fair trade-off, private registration on one hand and a government sanctioned publicly run BHL.org ?
Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich
I'm conflicted about this.
In the pursuit of criminals traceability to an IP block owner is essential.
On the other hand I've become a target because of my admittedly aggressive tactics in searching for and helping to bring down some of the nastier ones.
I've finished a 50+ page document on basic security I
will post soon for download. This post is basically trying to sort some ideas out on the issue with respect to security.
I would like to add "Expert Marksman" or "Avid NRA Supporter" to my record as a deterrent but do not know if that is possible or appropriate. Admittedly many would
not regard this as an acceptable solution (no offense intended).
Having an unlisted phone number, address or using a
PO Box are accepted means of keeping away unwanted visitors.
Seemingly these simple deterrents should exist in cyber
space as well since unlisted phone numbers and PO Boxes
do not seem to hinder law enforcement.
Perhaps a distinction between Commercial Registration
and Personnel Registration could be made with the Personnel allowed to be private.
Ideally Abuse of Private Registration would need to result in an
immediate "Outing" by the ISP or even termination of the account.
However, Those that specialize in spam and porn clients do not seem to react very fast
to transgressions and abuse.
The threat of retaliation for Bad Actors needs to be believable.
Law enforcement can only to so much and the Laws themselves
Are subject to being ignored or watered down.
I’ve always felt the “Black Hole List” was an effective deterrent.
IMHO civil libertarians (and perhaps some in the DOJ) argument that the BHLs
were “possibly illegal” were misguided.
Maybe that would be a fair trade-off, private registration on one hand and a government sanctioned publicly run BHL.org ?
Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich
Dear Richard,
Private registrations with legitimate registrars do not provide protection for criminals. Registrations with cross border registrars who don't abide by US laws really aren't affected by the NTIA edict. The reason is that crooks who register with them provide bogus WHOIS information and by doing so achieve anonymity. And of course with anonymity there is no accountability.
So all the NTIA decision does is to deny the Constitutional right to privacy for law abiding Americans. That's all it does. The NTIA is aware that law enforcement is supportive of private registrations and so is the intellectual property community. Yet it's their egos that resulted in this quick and pathetic decision, and it's their egos that keep this bad decision from being reversed.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Private registrations with legitimate registrars do not provide protection for criminals. Registrations with cross border registrars who don't abide by US laws really aren't affected by the NTIA edict. The reason is that crooks who register with them provide bogus WHOIS information and by doing so achieve anonymity. And of course with anonymity there is no accountability.
So all the NTIA decision does is to deny the Constitutional right to privacy for law abiding Americans. That's all it does. The NTIA is aware that law enforcement is supportive of private registrations and so is the intellectual property community. Yet it's their egos that resulted in this quick and pathetic decision, and it's their egos that keep this bad decision from being reversed.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Back in Jan 2001 Computerworld ran a "ACLU calls for public hearings on new top-level domains " piece.
A .private domain might work but no such compromise is likely because this issue appears to be a long running dispute of opposing interests (and perhaps comlicated
by the very nature of regulatory turf).
The right lobbyists need to make the right contributions to the right people and presto - you will get all the privacy you have PAID for.
That is unless the other side does the same thing only with
bigger contributions.
The users of the registration information seem to have got to the trough first since the entire "Ban Spam" movement threatened their businesses interests.
So a strategic decision will need to be made based on the
oppositions capitol investments they have made and are
likely to continue to make.
As to what degree negotiations and/or lobbying should be
undertaken would be determined by the oppositions strength, determination and willingness to negotiate.
The carrot and stick approach might work. The stick
might be really nasty super bowl ad sneak peak amoung
other unpleasent things.
Intruders breaking into my residece may figure out (perhhaps to late) what 'Exercises the Right to Bear Arms' in the domain record means.
Yes this is harsh and No I do not like to offend but erosion
of rights since 911 is a pain in the ass for which somebody
should pay.
A .private domain might work but no such compromise is likely because this issue appears to be a long running dispute of opposing interests (and perhaps comlicated
by the very nature of regulatory turf).
The right lobbyists need to make the right contributions to the right people and presto - you will get all the privacy you have PAID for.
That is unless the other side does the same thing only with
bigger contributions.
The users of the registration information seem to have got to the trough first since the entire "Ban Spam" movement threatened their businesses interests.
So a strategic decision will need to be made based on the
oppositions capitol investments they have made and are
likely to continue to make.
As to what degree negotiations and/or lobbying should be
undertaken would be determined by the oppositions strength, determination and willingness to negotiate.
The carrot and stick approach might work. The stick
might be really nasty super bowl ad sneak peak amoung
other unpleasent things.
Intruders breaking into my residece may figure out (perhhaps to late) what 'Exercises the Right to Bear Arms' in the domain record means.
Yes this is harsh and No I do not like to offend but erosion
of rights since 911 is a pain in the ass for which somebody
should pay.
I run both "adult" and mainstream sites. Once in awhile some idiot, usually religious, will decide to give me a lot of trouble because he takes exception with my "porn" sites. Let me share an experience:
I used different contact information for a blog dedicated to my child. On that blog I write my thoughts to him as he grows up. It's a great site and intended only for family members.
One of these religious freaks did a lot of research on me and found that site. He then began making anonymous, threatening calls to the number listed in the "who is" information. That number is no longer mine: it belongs to my ex-wife.
In a case like this, I'd love to have the contact info on the domain for my blog to my son completely anonymous. I'd be very happy to be beyond "privacy" and right on into "anonymity" on that domain. There is no reason why it should not be allowed in cases such as this. The world is, unfortunately, a dangerous place.
I have no problem with my "adult" domains being publicly listed.
I used different contact information for a blog dedicated to my child. On that blog I write my thoughts to him as he grows up. It's a great site and intended only for family members.
One of these religious freaks did a lot of research on me and found that site. He then began making anonymous, threatening calls to the number listed in the "who is" information. That number is no longer mine: it belongs to my ex-wife.
In a case like this, I'd love to have the contact info on the domain for my blog to my son completely anonymous. I'd be very happy to be beyond "privacy" and right on into "anonymity" on that domain. There is no reason why it should not be allowed in cases such as this. The world is, unfortunately, a dangerous place.
I have no problem with my "adult" domains being publicly listed.
Hello from down under,
AUCKLAND, New Zealand. The City of Sails.
I started looking at Bob's blog because Bob has described egotistical bureaucrats forcing their agendas on all of us without consultation. America is the bastion of free speech and privacy through the constitution and these bureaucrats take it away which filters down to our world in NZ.
Unfortunately the Donovan's of this world give the bureaucrats of this world their power. I bet Donavan does not have his name on his adult sights.
Donavan you must be very naive to think that you can degrade and misuse others without society retaliating. It is not religion that is involved but simple human dignity to treat others as you would like to be treated. Do you envisage your children appearing on your adult sights.?
Bob I cannot see that private registration creates accountability. If I lie and cheat during registration of a web site and then make it a private one, no one can find me (including the law enforcement people) so what deterrent does a hefty fine create.?
I applaud your publicizing of these bureaucratic egos but from other postings it is clear that Germany (with name and address on every web page) are trying to address lawlessness on the Internet with total openness. Only time will tell which approach is best.
In the meantime adult web site creators should keep their private stuff encrypted behind a firewall on their own private LAN.
David N http://www.bookingsnz.com
AUCKLAND, New Zealand. The City of Sails.
I started looking at Bob's blog because Bob has described egotistical bureaucrats forcing their agendas on all of us without consultation. America is the bastion of free speech and privacy through the constitution and these bureaucrats take it away which filters down to our world in NZ.
Unfortunately the Donovan's of this world give the bureaucrats of this world their power. I bet Donavan does not have his name on his adult sights.
Donavan you must be very naive to think that you can degrade and misuse others without society retaliating. It is not religion that is involved but simple human dignity to treat others as you would like to be treated. Do you envisage your children appearing on your adult sights.?
Bob I cannot see that private registration creates accountability. If I lie and cheat during registration of a web site and then make it a private one, no one can find me (including the law enforcement people) so what deterrent does a hefty fine create.?
I applaud your publicizing of these bureaucratic egos but from other postings it is clear that Germany (with name and address on every web page) are trying to address lawlessness on the Internet with total openness. Only time will tell which approach is best.
In the meantime adult web site creators should keep their private stuff encrypted behind a firewall on their own private LAN.
David N http://www.bookingsnz.com
Hi Sir,
Its great to find your blog, it seems that the .US domains have took off and in great demand and are a great thing to have if you want a ID with our country. By you doing these Blogs and pushing the issue I think that a lot of people will now consider the .US instead of the .com or sometimes .net or .org, you have pushed the .us to the front of everybody's attention.
The way I see it, people with concerns about private listings still have the .com and .net and others which should be just fine as they are still, I believe the most popular. That will leave the .edu, .gov, and yes for us .US so we can have it and the Porn sites will leave it along, what do you think, you will still get all the business for the private listings on .COM etc and lots of good .US domains will free up from the underground and faint of heart
and we will all run to GoDaddy to register. Would you consider offering a list of the .US NAMES THAT ARE BEING CANCELED DUE TO PRIVATE CONCERNS, I WILL BUY A FEW OF THE GOOD ONES AS SOON AS I SEE IT.
BB
Its great to find your blog, it seems that the .US domains have took off and in great demand and are a great thing to have if you want a ID with our country. By you doing these Blogs and pushing the issue I think that a lot of people will now consider the .US instead of the .com or sometimes .net or .org, you have pushed the .us to the front of everybody's attention.
The way I see it, people with concerns about private listings still have the .com and .net and others which should be just fine as they are still, I believe the most popular. That will leave the .edu, .gov, and yes for us .US so we can have it and the Porn sites will leave it along, what do you think, you will still get all the business for the private listings on .COM etc and lots of good .US domains will free up from the underground and faint of heart
and we will all run to GoDaddy to register. Would you consider offering a list of the .US NAMES THAT ARE BEING CANCELED DUE TO PRIVATE CONCERNS, I WILL BUY A FEW OF THE GOOD ONES AS SOON AS I SEE IT.
BB
The government has no business on the Internet. The Internet does a very good job of not only hiding the bad guys, but also of regulating itself. All the government does lately is put people in prison whether or not they are guilty and generally before they have even any evidence, much less anything to charge them with.
Anonymity on the Internet is a myth. There is always an electronic trail, and eventually even a paper trail, to be followed.
Anonymity on the Internet is a myth. There is always an electronic trail, and eventually even a paper trail, to be followed.
Bob, thank you for your very informative analysis and explanation about the privacy vs. anonymity problem. However, I did not see where you explained what you are doing about it. Are you testifying before congress? Are you contacting the right congress people? Or did you simply write a blog about it?
I know you could ask me what am I doing about it, but the answer is, I don't know anything about it; I'm being led by you. You're the one with the information and wisdom, so I'm asking you. Is anything being done to protect privacy?
Is there anything I can do?
I know you could ask me what am I doing about it, but the answer is, I don't know anything about it; I'm being led by you. You're the one with the information and wisdom, so I'm asking you. Is anything being done to protect privacy?
Is there anything I can do?
Hi Jerry,
Here's what we're doing about it:
1. In touch with legislators in D.C. to enlist their support to get the NTIA decision reversed.
2. Bringing the problem to light by addressing it on this Blog and the Radio Show (I'll be talking about it this Weds).
3. We're creating a site where people can use to easily write their legislators, and that also provides more information on the issue.
4. We will be notifying all of our customers of the problem and asking for their support.
5. I've written my Congressman and Senators.
What more would you have me do?
You can help by writing your Congressperson and Senators and expressing your outrage at the NTIA decision.
I appreciate your post,
Bob
Here's what we're doing about it:
1. In touch with legislators in D.C. to enlist their support to get the NTIA decision reversed.
2. Bringing the problem to light by addressing it on this Blog and the Radio Show (I'll be talking about it this Weds).
3. We're creating a site where people can use to easily write their legislators, and that also provides more information on the issue.
4. We will be notifying all of our customers of the problem and asking for their support.
5. I've written my Congressman and Senators.
What more would you have me do?
You can help by writing your Congressperson and Senators and expressing your outrage at the NTIA decision.
I appreciate your post,
Bob
Bob, it's great to see a prominent person in the industry standing up and speaking out for such a very important, yet often overlooked situation. I sincerely appreciate your efforts.
Some people just don't "get it".
But once they (or their family) become the victim of identity theft, harassment, stalking, or being bothered by some weirdo who got their information after a simple disagreement in a discussion forum, THEN they will understand.
Privacy is my right, your right and everybody's right. DO NOT let it be taken away.
Some people just don't "get it".
But once they (or their family) become the victim of identity theft, harassment, stalking, or being bothered by some weirdo who got their information after a simple disagreement in a discussion forum, THEN they will understand.
Privacy is my right, your right and everybody's right. DO NOT let it be taken away.
You say: "It is now illegal to provide false information when registering a domain name."
People based in the United States who read your blanket statement could easily assume that a mere typo, or oversight in updating a phone number, will land them seven years in the slammer. You don't want to be responsible for people thinking that, do you?
I looked up this law. It only pertains to situations where someone is tarnishing or otherwise interfering with someone else's trademark, and concurrently attempting to hide their true identity via misleading and/or incorrect WHOIS information.
I'm prepared to stand corrected if I misunderstood the law.
People based in the United States who read your blanket statement could easily assume that a mere typo, or oversight in updating a phone number, will land them seven years in the slammer. You don't want to be responsible for people thinking that, do you?
I looked up this law. It only pertains to situations where someone is tarnishing or otherwise interfering with someone else's trademark, and concurrently attempting to hide their true identity via misleading and/or incorrect WHOIS information.
I'm prepared to stand corrected if I misunderstood the law.
Dear Emily,
As it has always been the case, in matters of criminal law it is necessary to determine intent. This would be no different with respect to providing false information when registering a domain name.
As always law enforcement has the unfortunate and arduous the task of separating the fool from the knave.
Bob
As it has always been the case, in matters of criminal law it is necessary to determine intent. This would be no different with respect to providing false information when registering a domain name.
As always law enforcement has the unfortunate and arduous the task of separating the fool from the knave.
Bob
Bob,
I am really glad that you and your company are speaking up for the rights the rest of us have for privacy. The government doesn't always listen to the little guy... but since you're one of the "big guys", it's good to have someone like you in our corner.
Keep up the good work!
-Alan
I am really glad that you and your company are speaking up for the rights the rest of us have for privacy. The government doesn't always listen to the little guy... but since you're one of the "big guys", it's good to have someone like you in our corner.
Keep up the good work!
-Alan
Talking about THIS ONE LITTLE AREA of the internet is not that big of a deal when you look at all the domain extensions the .us should have a visible owner (what ever that means in the way the whois is managed)
What about the fact that if you go to www.parishilton.com you get redirected to google, track that back and its in the search, even GoDaddy comes up in this search. I say the least of your or the goverments problems with the internet is the .us issue.
MW
What about the fact that if you go to www.parishilton.com you get redirected to google, track that back and its in the search, even GoDaddy comes up in this search. I say the least of your or the goverments problems with the internet is the .us issue.
MW
Dear Martha,
The .US issue is only a problem for the Government, in that it will result in the .US registration information as a whole being less accurate.
The .US issue ultimately is a bigger problem for you. It's your privacy that has been snapped away. .US is just the beach head in this battle. On the other hand, if your personal privacy is not important to you, than this wouldn't be a significant issue.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
The .US issue is only a problem for the Government, in that it will result in the .US registration information as a whole being less accurate.
The .US issue ultimately is a bigger problem for you. It's your privacy that has been snapped away. .US is just the beach head in this battle. On the other hand, if your personal privacy is not important to you, than this wouldn't be a significant issue.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
Is is true that .US registrations have trended up a bit of late, that on the surface looks like the private listing is not a big determent to regristrations. I sense what you are saying, if this one sticks then maybe .com, .net etc are next.
One more question ref "leased or rented domains", who is the responsable party, if a leasee uses a domain names that it does not "own", can or will you the registar take down the site, cancel the domain etc. In the brick and mortar world is a tenant is doing something illegal, he gets evicted but the right full owner with the deed or title keeps ownership.
Martha
One more question ref "leased or rented domains", who is the responsable party, if a leasee uses a domain names that it does not "own", can or will you the registar take down the site, cancel the domain etc. In the brick and mortar world is a tenant is doing something illegal, he gets evicted but the right full owner with the deed or title keeps ownership.
Martha
@ Travis:
> while my German friends can use .de and my
> British friends can use .uk, I cannot show my
> nationality with my country's own extension,
> without opening myself up to every hooligan
> on the planet.
Sorry, but this is not true. Do you know the extremely tight regulations of the DENIC e.G., the German network information center?
It is DEFINITELY not possible to register a dot de domain name with a "private registration" feature such as offered by GoDaddy ("DomainsByProxy".
Our personal data HAS to be in the public whois, there's no way out. Additionally, in Germany it is obligatory to write the whole address, phone number etc. of the person in charge (for the web site) directy on the website! Even the link providing this information has to be placed on EVERY (!) single page of your web site and has to be written so that everybody can see it immediately.
Best regards from Germany
JCG
> while my German friends can use .de and my
> British friends can use .uk, I cannot show my
> nationality with my country's own extension,
> without opening myself up to every hooligan
> on the planet.
Sorry, but this is not true. Do you know the extremely tight regulations of the DENIC e.G., the German network information center?
It is DEFINITELY not possible to register a dot de domain name with a "private registration" feature such as offered by GoDaddy ("DomainsByProxy"
.Our personal data HAS to be in the public whois, there's no way out. Additionally, in Germany it is obligatory to write the whole address, phone number etc. of the person in charge (for the web site) directy on the website! Even the link providing this information has to be placed on EVERY (!) single page of your web site and has to be written so that everybody can see it immediately.
Best regards from Germany
JCG
I stand corrected. I was not aware of that, and I apologize for not researching the issue more carefully.
The situation, however, lends itself to comparisons that illustrates the NTIA's folly. As it stands with my .net domain name, I give GoDaddy my private information, much the same information that is present on one's driver's license. Should I do something really stupid behind the keyboard, law enforcement can go to GoDaddy and get that information. By the same token, if I do something really stupid behind the wheel, law enforcement can radio the DMV to get my license information.
To turn the analogy around, if NTIA had issued this ruling in terms of driver's licenses, we would be told that, if we wanted a drivers license, we'd have to agree to allow the DMV to put that personal information on the internet. I guarantee you that a driver's license ruling like that, without the public's ability to vote, would cause a party outside the NTIA headquarters which would involve a tree, a horse, and a rope.
And, as Mr. Parsons so correctly pointed out in regards to WHOIS entries, there would soon after be a massive increase in the amount of people driving around either without a license, or with licenses that contain false information (which is also a crime).
That is, of course, the American viewpoint. The German way of looking at the issue may differ.
Thank you for the information about German regulations in this regard!!
Have a wonderful day!
Travis.
The situation, however, lends itself to comparisons that illustrates the NTIA's folly. As it stands with my .net domain name, I give GoDaddy my private information, much the same information that is present on one's driver's license. Should I do something really stupid behind the keyboard, law enforcement can go to GoDaddy and get that information. By the same token, if I do something really stupid behind the wheel, law enforcement can radio the DMV to get my license information.
To turn the analogy around, if NTIA had issued this ruling in terms of driver's licenses, we would be told that, if we wanted a drivers license, we'd have to agree to allow the DMV to put that personal information on the internet. I guarantee you that a driver's license ruling like that, without the public's ability to vote, would cause a party outside the NTIA headquarters which would involve a tree, a horse, and a rope.
And, as Mr. Parsons so correctly pointed out in regards to WHOIS entries, there would soon after be a massive increase in the amount of people driving around either without a license, or with licenses that contain false information (which is also a crime).
That is, of course, the American viewpoint. The German way of looking at the issue may differ.
Thank you for the information about German regulations in this regard!!
Have a wonderful day!
Travis.
wait a minute... here's an idea... HOW ABOUT FREE ANONYMITY! Why can't 'go daddy' customers have that? I won't list the site that offers it free but it starts with a d.
Offering free anonymity to domain purchasers = happy customers who will renew their domains with the site offering it. All it requires is the expense of one server database that outputs 'go daddy' contact info and when requested by law inforcement, actual domain owner contact information would be given only to the entity requesting it after authorization.
seriously, go daddy needs to offer an additional service to it's customers or else another company may offer higher competition. The cost of outputting 'go daddy' contact information instead of 'publicly identifiable information for sexual predators goes here' information would be very very small.
Just think of how many more domain transfers you would have.
This is just a suggestion, I know business have to make money but it sure would be nice if businesses didn't have to pay people to write arguments and reasons for support when the issue at stake comes at little or no cost to overcome.
Offering free anonymity to domain purchasers = happy customers who will renew their domains with the site offering it. All it requires is the expense of one server database that outputs 'go daddy' contact info and when requested by law inforcement, actual domain owner contact information would be given only to the entity requesting it after authorization.
seriously, go daddy needs to offer an additional service to it's customers or else another company may offer higher competition. The cost of outputting 'go daddy' contact information instead of 'publicly identifiable information for sexual predators goes here' information would be very very small.
Just think of how many more domain transfers you would have.
This is just a suggestion, I know business have to make money but it sure would be nice if businesses didn't have to pay people to write arguments and reasons for support when the issue at stake comes at little or no cost to overcome.
Dear DJ,
First a correction. You're not talking about anonymity. You're talking about privacy. Privacy, as you suggest comes with accountability. With anonymity there is no accountability.
Offering privacy for free is just not an option. The company you suggest that is offering privacy for free, simply doesn't know what they're doing. The problem is that they've yet to encounter all the issues a registrar must deal with in connection with private registrations. When reality sets in for them it will be a rude awakening indeed.
These realities for the registrar include handling the inevitable lawsuits (GoDaddy is named in lawsuits just about every day over private registrations, we've never had to pay in any of these but we still have the costs of our attorneys contacting the plaintiff attorneys etc. ). There's also the costs of processing inquiries from law enforcement, subpoenas as well as other grievances and inquiries. A registrar who does not charge for this service will not have the resources to properly manage the private domain registrations it sells and eventually will not be able to properly handle their end of the bargain —- and that's where problems begin for everyone.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
First a correction. You're not talking about anonymity. You're talking about privacy. Privacy, as you suggest comes with accountability. With anonymity there is no accountability.
Offering privacy for free is just not an option. The company you suggest that is offering privacy for free, simply doesn't know what they're doing. The problem is that they've yet to encounter all the issues a registrar must deal with in connection with private registrations. When reality sets in for them it will be a rude awakening indeed.
These realities for the registrar include handling the inevitable lawsuits (GoDaddy is named in lawsuits just about every day over private registrations, we've never had to pay in any of these but we still have the costs of our attorneys contacting the plaintiff attorneys etc. ). There's also the costs of processing inquiries from law enforcement, subpoenas as well as other grievances and inquiries. A registrar who does not charge for this service will not have the resources to properly manage the private domain registrations it sells and eventually will not be able to properly handle their end of the bargain —- and that's where problems begin for everyone.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
You are entirely incorrect, Bob. With anonymity does come accountability, see especially <a href="http://www.apotheon.com/index.php?subaction= showfull&id=1111556266&archive=&start_from=&ucat=8 &">this article for a case in point about Internet anonymity. The courts have once again upheld our rights, are you asking us to give those up for some imagined security?
That was a good post, I have to read it again. Privacy has been erasing on the web. For example, if you go to the well known search engine that starts with a G and rhymes with oogle and type someones phone number, you have a good chance of finding their address. Mr Parsons, I wonder if you are listed?
It's pretty unbelievable. Map and everything.......
In the whois, they should just have the rest..you know e-mail, registar, servers shown...and have phone numbers and address shown (optional). Have it registered correctly with registar, but shown in the search optional. Can't anyone make a software that can make this happen? I already see some places that have a restriction on the number of whois searches you can do in a day! I will read the post again... you may have answered 1 or 2 of these!
and type someones phone number, you have a good chance of finding their address. Mr Parsons, I wonder if you are listed?It's pretty unbelievable. Map and everything.......
In the whois, they should just have the rest..you know e-mail, registar, servers shown...and have phone numbers and address shown (optional). Have it registered correctly with registar, but shown in the search optional. Can't anyone make a software that can make this happen? I already see some places that have a restriction on the number of whois searches you can do in a day! I will read the post again... you may have answered 1 or 2 of these!
I would like your opinion, however, on what I see as a need for privacy beyond your definition. You write, “In contract, those who seek privacy are fine receiving it with accountability. Law abiding citizens have no problem being held accountable for their actions. This is because, well, they are law abiding.”
In your contract the stipulation is that those who get the “privacy” feature are really only protected from random requests by anonymous internet surfers. There is a great deal of benefit in this. It also makes sense that your company works closely with law enforcement in support of the general good of the web and well-being of global citizens, and surrenders necessary contact information.
But I put forth the supposition that there are those that dissent certain political viewpoints, and because of the nature of their dissent, they need true anonymity from even the government. This is the very nature of the right to privacy expressed in the constitution: It affords people an ability to dissent without fearing government-sponsored retribution.
For instance, say I am a blogger who disagrees with the current practice of holding American citizens indefinitely without due process. This is already unconstitutional, but this is not the point I want to focus on. Now, suppose I post a message with evidence of torture of an American citizen that hasn’t otherwise been convicted, from a whistleblower. An element within the government sees my blog, and in an effort of PR control, through contacts in other parts of law enforcement demands my information through GoDaddy.com. GoDaddy surrenders the information because law enforcement requests it (and perhaps even substantiates it by some “copyright infringement” claim or the likes). Suddenly one less dissenter, and one more “law-abiding” American citizen held indefinitely without due process.
What say you? Isn’t there good justification for truly anonymous registration as well?
“Thus, Americans and others who enjoy privacy are law abiding citizens, and have no reason to fear being accountable for their use of privacy.”
I’ve given an (somewhat extreme, but plausible) example where a law abiding citizen has reason to fear “being accountable” by government standards for use of their “privacy”.
btw:
This is the first time I’ve read your blog. I am an aspiring technology entrepreneur and I’ve found many of your articles very interesting and educational. It is said that the best way to learn leadership is directly from a leader, and I see you as such. Thank you for your time, and I hope you have an opportunity to respond.
- Austin
I think if everyone was law abiding and not harmful, truly anonymous registrations would be OK. But that hasn't been the case at anytime during the existence of our planet. So there needs to be accountability. And it's accountability that makes private registrations work.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
There was such a case in Texas a few years back where a Yahoo! user was taken to court because he was speaking out anonymously against an elected official whom accused him of spreading lies (I think it was libel or some such, I forget the legal term). Since the question before the judge was only about whether or not he had to out himself, the judge ruled for the anonymous user, saying he had a right to protect himself from any retribution that might occur because of what he was telling this politicians constituents (basically he had outted the politician as being a theiving, lying scum bag (like most are) and the politician didn't like it because it was hurting his re-electing campaign).
Austin's example wasn't as extreme as he thought it was.
I didn't avoid the question at all. The point is that truly anonymous registrations pave the way for serious abuse and that's something that cannot be tolerated in a free and civilized society.
There has to be accountability.
Appreciate your post,
Bob
And for those reading not in the know, sedition is defined as follows:
incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority
By definition our country was founded on Sedition and the Decleration of Independence calls for Sedition when a government becomes unjust. How is the common person supposed to bring about good change? Should the people of Soviet Russia have just capitulated to their lawful government? What about the Kurds of Iraq?
By your own admission, accountability comes at the cost of freedom.
Thank you for clarifying your position, in light of the argument that I raised.
There ARE alternatives to maintain anonymity on the internet. If you have the technical knowledge, this is quite possible but extremely difficult.
As for hosting an anonymous site, you could, for instance, use overseas "anonymity" registrars (although you risk having your domain stolen, since they "own" your domain, or choose to create a "domain" of sorts on Tor [onion routers] or similar privacy service). You would also need to do your registration through chained anonymous proxies, to prevent tracking. There's more to it than that, but suffice it to say it's not easy and highly technical.
If anything, I'm glad it's provoked some debate here since it's important we keep in mind that the government itself is sometimes lawless.
Thanks again Bob,
Austin