GoDaddy Appeals India Domain Rules Requiring 72-Hour Data Disclosure
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 4
GoDaddy Appeals India Domain Rules Requiring 72-Hour Data Disclosure
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 4
Summary
GoDaddy has appealed a Delhi High Court order that would force domain registrars in India to end default privacy protections, verify buyers through KYC checks and hand over registrant data within 72 hours.
The company argues the ruling could reach far beyond India because domain names are globally accessible, potentially pushing registrars to apply the court’s standards across their wider operations.
The order was aimed at curbing online fraud in a fast-growing internet market where India’s NTRO identified more than 1,100 phishing domains in the first quarter of 2025.
GoDaddy says removing default privacy would expose WHOIS details such as names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, setting up a broader clash between anti-fraud enforcement and internet privacy.
As India unmasks domain owners to fight fraud, will it stop scammers or just endanger activists and journalists worldwide?
Can one court's anti-fraud crusade force a global rewrite of the internet's fundamental privacy rules?
The Future of Domain Privacy in India: GoDaddy’s Landmark 2026 Appeal Against Delhi High Court’s Anti-Fraud Directives
Overview
The report explores the escalating legal conflict between GoDaddy and the Delhi High Court, focusing on the upcoming appeal set for July 16, 2026. This case stems from a landmark court order in December 2025, which responded to a surge in online fraud and digital impersonation in India. The court's directives, aimed at curbing anonymous domain abuse and financial scams, require stricter identity checks for domain registrations. GoDaddy challenges these rules, arguing they threaten user privacy and complicate global operations. The outcome of this appeal could reshape domain registration practices and set important precedents for internet governance worldwide.