The GAO said it found 45 error reports in a random sampling of 900 registrations and submitted those 45 error reports to ICANN for further investigation. The GAO said it determined that 11 of those 45 domain name holders provided updated contact information that was not patently false within 30 days. One domain name, which had already been pending deletion, was terminated after the GAO submitted the error report. The remaining 33 were not corrected at all within that time frame, the GAO said.

According to the GAO, the Commerce Department and ICANN generally agreed with the report and have taken steps to ensure the accuracy of the contact data in the Whois database.

One such move includes implementation of a Registrar Accreditation Agreement requiring registrars to investigate and correct any reported inaccuracies in contact information. And the 1998 MOU has been amended to require ICANN to assess the operation of the Whois service and implement measures to improve the accuracy of the contact information in it.

ICANN could not be reached for comment Thursday.

THE GAO also identified two tools intended to help reduce false contact information in the Whois database. The Internet Registry Information Service protocol, which provides tiered access to sensitive contact information, could be used to restrict public access to that information in the Whois database. That, in turn, could encourage individuals or organizations to submit more accurate information.