We believe it's very important that people see the .nl domain as trustworthy. So we don't tolerate fraudulent activities. If we see anything to suggest that a .nl domain name is being used for fraud, we can ask for evidence that the registration data is correct. If we aren't shown evidence to back up the data within 3 working days, we can delink or modify the domain's name servers. That will prevent people using the domain name to reach the original website. We have the right to do that under Article 18 of the General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants.
When will we do this?
We don't ask for confirmation unless there are grounds for suspecting that a registration is fraudulent, such as evidence that the domain name is linked to a fake webshop. And we normally ask for confirmation only if the registrant is a business. We decide whether a registrant is a business by looking at various things, such as their name and whether they are selling goods and services on their website.
We always proceed with great care. For example, multiple expert staff members are involved in deciding whether to start an investigation and in assessing the evidence that the registrant provides to confirm the registration data.
If we decide to ask for data verification
If we decide that a domain name's registration data needs verifying, we'll contact both the registrant and the registrar by e-mail. We'll ask for evidence confirming the registrant's identity and other details. In our e-mail, we'll make it clear that, if we don't get evidence quickly, we may delink the domain's name servers. If we don't get an answer within 2 days, we'll write again.
Our e-mail will go to the following people, using the addresses recorded in our database:
Registrant
Admin-c
Registrar
Registrar's primary contact
Registrar's anti-abuse contact (if details have been provided)
After 3 working days, we'll deactivate the domain name
If we don't get evidence confirming the registrant's identity within 3 working days, we'll delink or modify the domain's name servers. That will prevent people using the domain name to reach the original website. The domain name's registration won't be cancelled when we delink or modify the name servers.
If we detect a privacy or proxy registration
From 1 October 2023, a domain name mustn't be registered in the name of a third party, such as the registrar, a reseller or a privacy or proxy service provider. Registrations of that kind are in breach of Article 1.2 of the updated General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants.
If we decide to check a domain name's registration data, and it comes to light that the nominal registrant is a third party (someone who isn't the domain name's ultimate controller), we'll mail the nominal registrant and the registrar asking them to tell us who ultimately controls the domain name. We'll also ask for evidence confirming the information provided, and for the registration to be amended so that it's in the name of the person or organisation that ultimately controls the domain name.
The same procedures will be followed and the same considerations will be taken into account as when we ask for verification under other circumstances, as described above.
If the nominal registrant and/or the registrar don't tell us who the ultimate controller is, or if the information they provide can't be confirmed, or if the registration isn't amended, we may delink or modify the domain's registered name servers. That will prevent people using the domain name to reach the original website. The domain name's registration won't be cancelled when we delink or modify the name servers.
Cancelling the registration
After deactivating a domain name, we inform the registrar and the registrant by e-mail. In our e-mail, we'll tell the registrar and registrant that we intend to cancel the domain name's registration. We have the right to do that under Article 16 of the General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants.
We'll also explain what the registrant or registrar can do to reactivate the domain name and/or to prevent the registration being cancelled.
Feel free to get in touch if you've got a question
You can reach us on working days between 8.30am and 5pm (Dutch time) by calling +31 26 352 5555 or mailing support@sidn.nl.