.co.uk Privacy

[cah1234]

Hi, i'd like to buy a .co.uk domain for business use. Is it possible to register it privately so my info doesn't appear on whois?

 

[Lucky Luke]

Yes, there are several ID Protection companies offering that service for the .uk namespace.

I'm not sure how you are protected if those firms go bust. Best to read their T&Cs and probably have a chat with someone at Nominet Customer Services to see how Nominet regard it.

Ask your Registrar/Host if they offer it. It costs a not very much each year.

 

[keys]

It is easy enough to register a .uk domain and hide the details. which makes it a fairly common practice. Nominet have rules regarding this, but they are lightly enforced.

If a business or trader tries to hide their location by omitting a physical address from their website, business cards etc., or obscuring registrant details I would assume they are working from a bedroom, not a serious enterprise and unlikely to offer reliable service.

 

[ian]

I would assume they are working from a bedroom, not a serious enterprise and unlikely to offer reliable service.

Strange assumption to make?

 

[Brassneck]

Why do you think it is a strange assumption?

 

[scottmccloud]

If a business or trader tries to hide their location by omitting a physical address from their website, business cards etc., or obscuring registrant details I would assume they are working from a bedroom, not a serious enterprise and unlikely to offer reliable service.

I'd also be much less likely to use their services or buy their products without such info as a lack of transparency sets alarm bells ringing.

 

[ian]

Why do you think it is a strange assumption?

That a bedroom/home business cannot offer a reliable service; but if he was meaning in the instance of hiding such information, then yes, the lack of clarity might be a cause for concern.

 

[keys]

If you run a legitimate business selling goods or services, you need to provide a name and address for HMRC, banking, suppliers, insurers and so on. Why would you try to hide this information from your customers?

Many bedroom/home businesses do provide reliable service, and I wish them success. There are also rogue traders who need anonymity to evade unhappy customers, or attention of law enforcement agencies.

 

[ian]

If you run a legitimate business selling goods or services, you need to provide a name and address for HMRC, banking, suppliers, insurers and so on. Why would you try to hide this information from your customers?

Many bedroom/home businesses do provide reliable service, and I wish them success. There are also rogue traders who need anonymity to evade unhappy customers, or attention of law enforcement agencies.

100% agree with this; I just read your first post to suggest home businesses shouldn't be considered reliable. If they hide data, then absolutely you'd have to question why.