TLDR:
- ICANN verifies accurate contact information for the top-level domain names they regulate.
- A verification request is triggered when domains are registered, transferred, or domain contact details are changed.
- The request will contain a confirmation link that is sent to the registrant's email address.
- The request must be actioned within 15 days or the domain will be suspended until further action is taken.
Full Article
As of January 1st 2014, ICANN, (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), is changing the RAA, (Registrar Accreditation Agreement). This fundamentally affects how your generic top-level domains, (gTLDs), are managed worldwide. Many global parties have been involved in the new policies, including law enforcement agencies.
The revised RAA has vastly tightened up the responsibilities of domain registrars and registrants alike in a bid to rid the internet of orphaned and lost domains, (i.e. domains for which the registrant's contact information is not available or invalid). This also helps avoid disputes over ownership.
All domain names must have accurate contact information associated with them in line with ICANN's RAA. We collect this information when you register a domain name and can be found and updated within your Compudata Cloud Services client area. You must ensure accurate and valid contact details are supplied for your domain at all times, even if you are using our domain privacy option to hide your details from the global WHOIS search.
When do I need to validate my domain names?
When you change any of the contact details of your existing domain(s), or register a new domain, under the terms of the ICANN WDRP, (WHOIS Data Reminder Policy), a verification message will be sent to the registrant email address. It is imperative that you respond to this email.
What does the email look like?
The email is usually sent from either cloudservices@compudata.ca or donotreply@name-services.com and should be entitled "Important Notice Regarding Your Domain Name(s)", "IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION required for domain.com" or something similar. If in doubt, contact our helpdesk to confirm.
If the domain registrant does not respond to this email within 15 days, then the domain will be suspended and placed into ClientHold status, affecting any services that rely on it. Although this is reversible, it may take up to 72 hours to reactivate the domain. These policies are mandated by ICANN and implemented directly by our registrar. We will be unable to intervene and cannot be held responsible if you fail to comply with ICANN's requirements.
What if I don't receive the validation email?
If you don't receive the validation email, it is likely that the email filtered into your spam folder/quarantine, or that you provided incorrect details. Please check carefully to ensure that this is not the case.
Within the WDRP, if the validation emails bounce, then the email address is deemed invalid, and the domain name will be suspended and placed in ClientHold status.
What if my domain gets suspended?
If your domain name is suspended, you can log into your Compudata Cloud Services client area and correct your domain name contact records. When you have fully completed the details, raise a support request and we will request a new validation email from the registrar. Once you have correctly validated your domain name it will be unsuspended - but this may take up to 72 hours.
Where can I find out more about ICANN and the RAA?
ICANN WDRP, (WHOIS Data Reminder Policy)
http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/consensus-policies/wdrp/faqs
ICANN Registrant Educational
http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/registrant-rights/educational
ICANN Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities
http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/registrant-rights/benefits
