Domain Privacy

[Barry Brown <babrown16@xxxxxxxxx>]

To whom it may concern,

ICANN's proposal for the restriction of domain privacy is utterly
ridiculous, and very short sighted for company with a reputation like
ICANN's. While I understand the reasoning behind the proposal, such as,
better dealing with copyright claims/infringement, and not giving criminals
a wall to hide behind, there is more to this issue that is being overlooked
which in the end this will cause more harm than good.

Firstly, the number of user that use or intend to use domain privacy for
copyright infringement or other illegal activities are far less than
legitimate users who just want to protect themselves from harassment. Those
in the the public eye would have no protection antagonist those who want to
find their information and harass them. All it would take would be a quick
"WHOIS" search and their private information, including where they live
will be at jeopardy. My understanding is that as Americans, even as human
beings, we have a right to privacy, but maybe that is just me.  For
example, I have purchased products from Microsoft before, but am I entitled
to Bill Gates' address, phone number, and personal email just because I
purchased a product from his company? No, that would be insane, and so is
anyone getting access to your information when indeed it should be private.
Many domain companies, even though can hide your information, have ways
that you can still reach the owner of the domain. Typically, the domain
company can forward you the emails so that you can still be in contact.

Ultimately, you're giving yourself and big corporations way too much power
over the privacy of people on the internet. If any company, or person can
make a claim on website for copy right infringement getting your all your
contact information without a warrant or any probable cause whatsoever,
then there is no structure or order to things. I get that ICANN wants to
help, but all your doing is destroying the integrity of the internet and
creating chaos.

These are just my thoughts and concerns. We are in age of technology things
are constantly changing all around us, and we barely know how to process it
all. Just because things change however, doesn't mean you need to force it.

Regards,

A concerned citizen.

-Barry B.