Cross-Community Session: WHOIS/RDS Policy: Post-GDPR Development and Next Steps

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has precipitated significant changes to the registration data directory service (RDDS), currently known as WHOIS. Most recently, the ICANN Board adopted a Temporary Specification implementing an ICANN Org-driven interim GDPR compliance model for WHOIS. However, the Temporary Specification may only be in effect for up to one year, and triggered an expedited policy development process to create a new ICANN Consensus Policy concerning gTLD registration data directory service. However, efforts to reach community consensus regarding updating the WHOIS system has historically been rife with challenges. With the adoption of the Temporary Specification, the community has a new opportunity, with specific milestones, to try and devise an “ultimate model” for a next-generation registration data directory service that meets the needs of various stakeholders with a legitimate interest in domain name registration data, while also respecting applicable privacy and data protection laws. In this cross-community session, panelists will engage with the community to discuss the key policy changes resulting from the Temporary Specification, and how to move forward with developing a final Consensus Policy that moves beyond the temporary policy toward a more permanent solution for the RDDS. - Session Leader: Cyrus Namazi Staff Facilitator: Ria Otanes