Network Solutions plans to sell its data base

On February 16, the Wall Street Journal reported that Network 
Solutions, the major US Internet registration authority, plans to sell its 
database of information on all of its Internet domain registrants. The 
databas is essentially the master address book for the Internet, with 
details of all people and organisations with their own dot.com 
addresses.

President George Bush the First presided over the "privatisation" of the 
InterNic, which had been the non-commercial registration authority of the 
National Science Foundation.

Shortly thereafter, the Internic became the commercial entity known as 
Network Solutions, now a subsidiary of VeriSign, Inc.

Over the years there has been a creeping commercialism at Network 
Solutions, including the use of their database for in-house advertising, 
and their flagrant disregard of "opt-out" choices by domain registrants who 
specifically request that they NOT be bombarded with unsolicited 
advertising.

Internet domain registrants are essentially a captive audience for Network 
Solutions. Someone who wants to register a domain and make sure it is 
reachable from most of the Internet has little choice — Network Solutions 
is the only competent game in town.

"We regard Network Solutions' plan to sell information that most 
registrants regard as confidential as a new low in the sorry history of 
sleazy Internet business practices", said the NY Transfer News Group, in an 
email warning Internet users of the company's plans.

"This data is provided to Network Solutions ONLY because it is required to 
obtain a domain and to make sure that the Internet continues to function 
smoothly and securely.

"It is completely unethical for this corporation to sell the information 
they gather as a result of their privileged authority...

"Data that is REQUIRED by a duly empowered authority — whether it is the 
Motor Vehicles Bureau, the Social Security Administration, or the Internic 
— is provided to these agencies ONLY because it is compulsory: We do not 
have a choice!", said the letter from the NY Group.

"Your data is not Network Solutions' property! The information possessed by 
Network Solutions about you should be considered completely confidential, 
unless you give the company specific permission to sell, rent or exchange 
it. Instead, Network Solutions plans to peddle us all to the highest 
bidder, without our consent."

NY Transfer News Group is calling on website owners who have registered 
domains with Network Solutions to protest to the Better Business Bureau, 
VeriSign Inc, the corporate owners of Network Solutions, and the management 
of Network Solutions itself:

email: web-comments@networksolutions.com

VeriSign, Inc — Stratton Sclavos, President and CEO, VeriSign James Rutt, 
President: http://www.corporate.verisign.com