RFC 1355 (rfc1355) - Page 2 of 4

Privacy and Accuracy Issues in Network Information Center Databases

RFC 1355         Privacy and Accuracy in NIC Databases       August 1992


   database has towards those about whom data appears in the database.
   These obligations apply to database entries that contain information
   that is publically accessible to Internet users.

2. Background and Organization

   In fulfilling the functions of a Network Information Center, each NIC
   needs to collect and distribute a variety of information about the
   network it serves.  Much of the information handled by a NIC is
   "directory" information that provides pointers to people,
   organizations, and resources throughout a network.  The use of
   publically accessible databases to disseminate such data is seen as
   beneficial to the Internet because it allows efficient information
   retrieval by users, Network Operation Centers (NOCs), and other NICs.

   This document is organized into two parts.  The first part contains
   recommendations for preventing unauthorized disclosure of information
   in NIC databases.  The second part recommends formal accuracy
   guidelines for NIC databases.

3. NIC Database Privacy

   The existence of publically accessible databases brings up a number
   of significant questions regarding controls over the gathering and
   distribution of the data.  It is important that these concerns are
   addressed prior to the wide-scale deployment of a public NIC database
   or a NIC risks having to retrofit an established system to formal
   guidelines regarding such controls when they are finally available.

   For each publically accessible database that a NIC manages, the NIC
   needs to provide a clear statement of the purpose of the database,
   the types of information it contains, and the privacy policy that
   applies to the information stored within it.  In general, this policy
   should inform people or organizations listed in the database of the
   content and purpose of their database entries.  Specifically, the
   privacy policy should:

      1) Describe why the NIC needs the information and how it will use
         the information.

      2) List of all the information being stored in an entry.

      3) Detail which information will be made available outside of the
         NIC, to whom it will be made available, and for what purpose.

      4) Provide for notification of any person or organization added
         to the database at the request of a third party.




Curran & Marine