The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will review the purpose of collecting, maintaining and providing access to generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) registration data.
Representatives of around 50 countries will meet with ICANN to discuss concerns of the new gTLD names proposed this year.
In June this year, ICANN had unveiled a list of over 1,930 applications for gTLDs as it expands the Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet.
ICANN said that the latest move follows the recommendations of a review team that examined implementation of WHOIS data policy.
ICANN Board Chair Stephen Crocker said: "WHOIS began more than 25 years ago, before there was even a World Wide Web and its purpose was far more technical than it is today."
"It’s clear that we have to take a thorough look at WHOIS from the ground up, and that’s what we’re asking the CEO to do – what should WHOIS be and how can we best improve its accuracy?," Crocker said.
ICANN’s board tasked the CEO Fadi Chehade to go beyond the existing WHOIS protocol and start a new initiative focused on directory services.
According to ICANN, Chehade will convene an expert working group to help lay the foundation for new policy development work.
As per the board resolution, Chehade will continue to fully enforce the contractual conditions that relate to the current collection, access and accuracy of gTLD registration data.
The resolution will also allow Chehade to increase efforts to communicate and conduct outreach ensuring compliance with existing WHOIS policy and conditions.
Crocker said: "It’s basically a two-track approach. "In addition to a full examination of WHOIS, the Board wants to make certain that enforcement of existing WHOIS reporting requirements is strengthened in conformance with the Affirmation of Commitments and the recommendations of the WHOIS Review Team."
