The NTIA's decision to disallow private domain name registrations for .us domains threatens your privacy Return to Home

Federal Agency Exposes You and Your Family to Predators!

A recent and arbitrary decision by a federal agency eliminated private domain name registrations for the .US domain name. This means current holders of .US private domain registrations will face either making their personal information public for everyone to see (including the many thousands of predators who stalk the WHOIS directory daily searching for easy prey), or giving up their .US domain name. It also means that new purchasers of .US domain name registrations will not be able to purchase private registrations.

You need to be alarmed about this - whether or not you own a .US domain name or even if you don't have a private registration. Your family's safety is simply too important to allow a bureaucrat to take away the only thing that protects all of you from Internet predators.

It's important to note that private domain name registrations only protect individuals from predators and other wackos in the general public. Law enforcement agencies have access to the information behind each private registration. So, if need be, they can get to it quickly. Private domain name registrations are intended only to protect law abiding citizens.

Here are just some of the dangers that this arbitrary decision now creates for you and your family:

  • Easy access to your personal information by stalkers, harassers, and worse.
  • If you have a family or personal Web site, predators now know exactly where you or your family resides.
  • If you have personal pictures posted, predators will know what your children look like and exactly where to find them.
  • Spammers and phishers will have easy access to your email address. You can be sure you'll hear from them.
  • Identity theft con-artists will know all your personal information and how to contact you to steal your credit card numbers.
  • Any predator who wants to manipulate you for whatever reason will know your name, address, email address, phone and fax number.

This unfortunate decision was made by The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) without a hearing or an opportunity for a response by those affected -- in fact, there was no due process of any kind. It's ironic that the NTIA has taken away our Constitutional right to privacy for the one domain name (.US) that is specifically intended for Americans. These bureaucrats stripped away the privacy that you're entitled to as an American; on the only domain name that says that you are an American.

You won't find any information about the NTIA decision by searching the Internet. You'll only find it here. Why, you ask? Because this sneaky decision was made entirely "under the radar." Other than documents that were used to intimidate Registrars into signing a new agreement to disallow private registrations, nothing was published by the NTIA. All the relevant documents are posted here - they appear no where else.

The Internet is a wild and often lawless place. Criminals (at least the smart ones) don't use private registrations; they simply lie and provide false information when obtaining the domain names they use to work their evil trickery. Law enforcement agencies know this, and as a result support private domain name registrations.

If this terrible decision is allowed to stand, it could lead to an attempt to take away privacy on other domain names and other areas that are important to you. If you care at all about being safe from Internet predators, you need to join us and take a stand -- even if you don't own a private domain registration. Your safety and your family's safety is simply too important for you to sit this one out.

Remember, private domain name registrations only protect law-abiding citizens from predators and wackos on the Internet. They don't protect criminals because law enforcement agencies have access to the registration information. Law enforcement agencies support private registrations and you should too!

What You Can Do About It

Simply sign the petition on this site. There is also an easy to use form that lets you send an email or fax (using this Web site) to your elected representatives in Washington, D.C. so you can express your outrage and request their help in reversing the NTIA's inappropriate decision.

None of the personal information you provide here is published. Only your name, state, and any comments you make are displayed as part of the petition.

Protection for you and your family from Internet predators is simply too important for you not to act. Sign the petition and use this Web site to email or fax your elected representatives now!

Email Your Elected Officials

Tell your elected offical how you feel about your right to privacy. It's their job to represent you and your interests.

Sign the Petition

Take immediate action and join the ranks of those who will stand up for their right to privacy.


NTIA Letters and Agreements

View the letters and new agreements issued by the NTIA and NeuStar in order to eliminate privacy on .US domain names. Also see the chronology of how .US private registrations were eliminated.

How .US Privacy Was Eliminated

NTIA Response to Congressional Inquiries

Case Studies

Stories of citizens who absolutely must have Whois privacy:

A Battered & Stalked Woman

A Rape Victim

A Businessman

A Political Activist

An Online Fraud Victim

A Credit Card Theft Victim

A Father Harrassed by Fanatics

The Whistleblower

The At-Home Worker

Press and Documentation

Why privacy makes the Internet safer. How anonymity hides the bad guys!

Domain Owners Lose Privacy - Wired.com

Go Daddy slams US on domain privacy - Computer Business Review Online

Ruling on '.us' Domain Raises Privacy Issues - washingtonpost.com