I think i am kicking in an open door when i say the current WHOIS system is far from accurate. Every domainer that uses domain tools or any other WHOIS tool knows that. Currently when we look at .com and .net domain names the WHOIS that is being used is, what is called a "thin" WHOIS. The issues with this WHOIS, is that domain Registrars provide the WHOIS information. And as you can guess in alot of cases the WHOIS server is unreachable or filled with junk. Verisign is neutral whatever ICANN decides to move to the "thick" WHOIS model. Personally i am all for a "thick" WHOIS where the registry (PIR/Afilias/Neustar) operates the WHOIS. This alone won't improve WHOIS accuracy but it wouldbe atleast a step in the right direction when you actually connect to the WHOIS server instead of all these bloody time outs. As mentioned earlier on this doesn't improve WHOIS registrant accuracy. The number of unreachable WHOIS registrations (as defined by the NORC Data Accuracy Study, 2009/10) by 50% within 12 months and by 50% again over the following 12 months. The study found that only 23% of WHOIS records were fully accurate and over 20% were completely inaccurate. 23% of the WHOIS is accurate ? That's bad news people and it is no wonder LEA's have a huge problem with this. A WHOIS database that is not accurate at all serves no function. Junk data is junk. So ICANN is about to change this old WHOIS model and is looking for input. Personally i would say after so many studies the time for input has passed and it is time to act. The WHOIS problem is a HUGE one, and there are several examples out there where ccTLD registries that operate a WHOIS that does protect the privacy of domain registrants and do cooperate with LEA's. Anyways here is the article from ICANN.
