ICANN - Austin Russell Says Respect Our Privacy

[austin <austn3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN –

Regarding the proposed rules governing companies that provide WHOIS privacy
services (as set forth in the Privacy and Policy Services Accreditation
Issues Policy document):

I urge you to respect internet users' rights to privacy and due process.
- Everyone deserves the right to privacy.
- No one’s personal information should be revealed without a court order,
regardless of whether the request comes from a private individual or law
enforcement agency.

This is especially important in an age where cyber bullying can have very
real and in some cases dire consequences.  Revealing this kind of
information would only make it easer for people to torment those they
disagree with. Thus effectively silencing free speech.

Privacy is a very real necessity of a free and open internet.

Thank you.