India Urges ICANN to Provide Website Owner Details Within 24 Hours for Emergency Requests

The government has urged the global internet organisation ICANN to reveal website owner or registrant information within 24 hours for urgent law enforcement requests, according to a senior IT ministry official. This request was made during the India Internet Governance Forum IIGF 2025 by Meity Joint Secretary Sushil Pal. The government also wants all registrars involved in domain name registration to share registration details under a new system being tested in the country.

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ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is a global multi-stakeholder entity responsible for managing and setting protocols for the World Wide Web. As part of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) within ICANN, India has been advocating for a swift 24-hour response time for WHOis disclosure requests. This involves revealing personal details of domain name holders during emergencies, as highlighted by Pal.

Focus on Cybersecurity

Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada emphasised India's significant internet penetration and connectivity levels. He noted that this widespread access also increases vulnerability to cyber threats. Prasada assured that the government is actively addressing these issues but stressed that collective efforts from all stakeholders are essential to ensure a secure cyberspace.

The Whois service provides information about website name registrants, although some entities pay to conceal their details. Pal mentioned that current rules allow anyone to register a domain name and submit their credentials within 15 days. However, this period is sufficient for misuse before disappearing without providing credentials.

Addressing Subdomain Abuse

Pal also pointed out the prevalent issue of subdomain abuse, which poses significant risks. The government has been vocal about these dangers and is working towards solutions. The aim is to protect not only vulnerable citizens but also strategic locations from potential threats.

In conclusion, while the government is taking steps to enhance cybersecurity, it acknowledges that it cannot tackle these challenges alone. Collaboration with various stakeholders is crucial to safeguarding India's digital landscape against cyber threats.

With inputs from PTI