Fake WHOIS data

cdd · Thu 01 Feb, 2007 17.55

Hi,
I've done something very naughty and now I'm beginning to worry if I should be worrying.
I registered a domain name, and didn't feel like giving my real address and phone number in the WHOIS, so typed a load of gibberish.
Only now has it occured to me that this simple act of trying to maintain privacy might in fact have been some kind of offence.
So, what do you suggest I do if I have registered a .com domain and given fake data in the WHOIS form? Or should I just not worry?
Chris

Dr Lobster* · Thu 01 Feb, 2007 17.59

the worst they can do is suspend the domain, i wouldn't worry.

cdd · Thu 01 Feb, 2007 18.05

Ah, that's reassuring! I read some very scary stuff about people with fake WHOIS data for American domains facing jailtime... but I assume that's only in Hambugerland.

Bail · Thu 01 Feb, 2007 20.00

Well, as long as you don't use the domain for anything illegal, then I doubt anyone will ever look, and if they do just be honest and say you wanted your personal details kept private.

Charlie Wells · Thu 01 Feb, 2007 21.54

With UK domains you can use the opt-out so that your personal information isn't published. With 'global' domains you could register with someone like godaddy which includes http://www.domainsbyproxy.com which hides your details from public view.

antony · Fri 02 Feb, 2007 05.59

cdd wrote:Hi,
I've done something very naughty and now I'm beginning to worry if I should be worrying.
I registered a domain name, and didn't feel like giving my real address and phone number in the WHOIS, so typed a load of gibberish.
Only now has it occured to me that this simple act of trying to maintain privacy might in fact have been some kind of offence.
So, what do you suggest I do if I have registered a .com domain and given fake data in the WHOIS form? Or should I just not worry?
Chris

As Dr Lobster* said, however, it depends on the registrar. Some registrar does not care (nor investigate).

Otherwise, you can pay extra for "privacy".

You don't have to provide your primary address/phone number or even email address. Just provide one that you can use such as post office box.

Asa · Fri 02 Feb, 2007 19.08

http://www.networksolutions.com/ offer a facility to use masked WHOIS details on your domains. I use it for my .com one, definitely worth the few quid.