As EU Privacy Law Looms, Debate Swirls on Cybersecurity Impact
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Days ahead of the implementation of a sweeping European privacy law, debate is swirling on whether the measure will have negative consequences for cybersecurity.
The controversy is about the so-called internet address book or WHOIS directory, which up to now has been a public database identifying the owners of websites and domains.
The database will become largely private under the forthcoming General Data protection Regulation set to take effect May 25, since it contains protected personal information.
US government officials and some cybersecurity professionals fear that without the ability to easily find hackers and other malicious actors through WHOIS, the new rules could lead to a surge in cybercrime, spam and fraud.