GoDaddy India Domain Registrar Warns Court Ruling Could Threaten Online Privacy

GoDaddy says India’s proposed rules on domain registration and privacy could expose website owners to risks and create wider consequences for the global internet.

GoDaddy India has warned that a court ruling aimed at tackling fake websites could weaken online privacy, affect legitimate businesses and create broader consequences for internet users worldwide.

The warning comes as India steps up efforts to combat cyber fraud, which has increased alongside rapid growth in smartphone and internet use.

According to government data, authorities received 2.4 million cyber fraud complaints last year involving estimated losses of $2.4 billion.

Legal dispute over fake websites

The case began after several Indian and international companies filed lawsuits against websites that allegedly misused their brand names.

Since 2019, companies including Amazon and McDonald’s have sought legal action against fraudulent websites.

In December, the Delhi High Court ordered the blocking of more than 1,100 websites linked to alleged trademark abuse.

GoDaddy challenges court directives

The court also directed domain registrars to stop offering privacy protection by default.

In addition, registrars must disclose domain owners’ details within 72 hours to anyone found to have a “legitimate interest.”

The ruling also requires registrars to prevent the registration of domain names that closely resemble protected brands.

However, GoDaddy has challenged these directives before a larger bench of the Delhi High Court.

According to court filings reviewed by Reuters, the company argued that removing default privacy protections could expose website owners to harassment, stalking and other security risks.

Global impact concerns

GoDaddy also said domain names operate globally rather than within national borders.

As a result, the ruling could force registrars to regulate website registrations far beyond India.

Furthermore, the company argued that it cannot reliably determine who qualifies as having a “legitimate interest” within the court’s 72-hour deadline.

GoDaddy described the directives as “commercially destabilising” and warned they could encourage domain registration companies to leave the Indian market.

Industry response

Neither the Indian government nor GoDaddy responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.

GoDaddy manages around 80 million domain names, serves more than 20 million customers and generates annual revenue of approximately $5 billion.

Meanwhile, domain registration companies Namecheap and Hosting Concepts have also challenged the Delhi High Court’s ruling, according to court records.

The wider legal case involves more than 20 companies, including Amazon, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Xiaomi and Colgate-Palmolive, which sought action against websites allegedly impersonating their brands.