Latta’s resolution would urge public availability of WHOIS database

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) on Feb. 27 introduced a resolution stating that the WHOIS database, which is a collection of registered domain names, remains readily available to the public.

“WHOIS information helps to keep people accountable for what they do and put online, and we must be able to continue to utilize this critical information so that our Internet is safe and secure for all Americans,” said Rep. Latta.

The WHOIS database had been publicly available since before the commercial internet was created, according to the text of House Resolution (H.Res.) 875, which is sponsored by Rep. Latta.

However, the database recently became restricted under the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation of 2018, which regulates EU law on data protection and privacy in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA), and also addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas.

“Being able to look up who owns and operates a website is not just a tool necessary for public transparency, but it is essential for safety,” Rep. Latta said. “Law enforcement and businesses use WHOIS information to facilitate consumer protection on the internet, protect privacy, combat illegal online drug sales, enforce intellectual property laws, identify and stop human trafficking, as well as defend our national security interests.”

If enacted, H.Res. 875 would express the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that domain name registration information, referred to as WHOIS information, “is critical to the protection of the United States national and economic security, intellectual property rights enforcement, cybersecurity, as well as the health, safety and privacy of its citizens, and should remain readily accessible,” according to the text of the resolution.