Has GoDaddy Started Hiding Whois Contact Information?

I was checking information about a domain today, and noticed that GoDaddy seems to have changed their response to send people to their Web site.  No longer can I get the information I need through a simple unix command, in text format with no advertising.

I was checking information about a domain today, and noticed that GoDaddy seems to have changed their response to send people to their Web site.  No longer can I get the information I need through a simple unix command, in text format with no advertising:

[Travis-Smith-Computer:~] nep% whois spacesindoorsandout.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

  Domain Name: SPACESINDOORSANDOUT.COM
  Registrar: GO DADDY SOFTWARE, INC.
  Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
  Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
  Name Server: DNS50-2.NEXCESS.NET
  Name Server: DNS50-1.NEXCESS.NET
  Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK
  EPP Status: clientDeleteProhibited
  EPP Status: clientRenewProhibited
  EPP Status: clientTransferProhibited
  EPP Status: clientUpdateProhibited
  Updated Date: 30-Nov-2006
  Creation Date: 28-Jan-2004
  Expiration Date: 28-Jan-2007

>>> Last update of whois database: Mon, 04 Dec 2006 13:43:00 EST <<

<

Registrant:
Spaces Indoors & Out

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (

http://www.godaddy.com)
  Domain Name: SPACESINDOORSANDOUT.COM

  Domain servers in listed order:
    DNS50-1.NEXCESS.NET
    DNS50-2.NEXCESS.NET

  For complete domain details go to:
  http://who.godaddy.com/whoischeck.aspx?Domain=SPACESINDOORSANDOUT.COM

It’s only when I go to their Web site that I can get the contact information for Registrant, Administrative, Billing and Technical Contact.

While I’m sure they did this to “cut down on spam” or something like that, I find it an unacceptable tradeoff that makes it harder for me to administer domains.  And I think it might be a violation of their duties as a domain registrar.

Posted by Travis Smith on 12/04 at 10:44 AM •

Comments

  1. Hi!

    I think this option was available long time ago!!! We specially use GoDaddy when producing hotsites or online viral campaigns to our clients because we can pay extra to get the owner’s name hidden. In that way people canīt find out its a viral campaign because the name of the marketing agency is hidden.

    The blogosphere is getting pretty smart on finding out this kind of things, and this option is just great for marketing professionals.

    However, the more people try to hide the more people will suspect.

    Cheers from Brazil!

    Posted by Bambuzada Team on 12/10/06 at 08:48 PM

  2. I agree with that the blogosphere is getting pretty smart on finding out this kind of things, and this option is just great for marketing professionals.

    Posted by Business for sale on 12/13/06 at 05:40 AM

  3. Hmm i had noticed that too..thought it was a temporary issue with their database..you bring up a good point about violation of duties..might have to check out the icann website on that

    [http://www.renewingyourmind.us]renewing your mind[/url]

    Posted by renewing your mind on 01/15/07 at 11:01 PM

  4. I think it is an option that they have for their customers to hide their personal info from fraud / id theft.

    Posted by Andy on 02/18/07 at 02:59 PM

  5. Can you help me remove an archive article from the new york times?

    Posted by nellie sciutto on 02/28/07 at 03:27 AM

  6. I believe this was always an option.  Typically you had to pay an additional fee to hide your info.  I think this is a good thing if you want to remain under the radar.

    Posted by Dating Sage on 03/22/07 at 03:26 AM

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