Please protect the privacy of people who register domains

[Jen Roth <jen@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN,

I run a website that deals with controversial issues. I am also a woman. Given 
those two facts, I’m alarmed to see that you are considering a proposal that 
would not allow owners of "domains used for commercial purposes” to use proxy 
registration services, especially if the definition of “commercial purposes” is 
broad enough to include sites that merely run ads or take donations. You must 
be aware that there are thousands of stalkers and harassers on the internet who 
will use any personal information they can get their hands on to attempt to 
intimidate and silence people who disagree with them. There is no compelling 
reason for ICANN to make harassment easier by requiring domain owners to make 
their information viewable by the entire world. If there is a copyright or 
other issue that requires the owner of a domain to be identified, this can 
happen through legal channels.

Disallowing use of proxy services for domains which are used for direct (i.e., 
not run through a third party) financial transactions strikes me as less 
problematic. People should know who they’re giving their credit card or banking 
information to, and domain owners who engage in commercial activities but wish 
to be protected from having their personal information made public have other 
options.

Thank you for your consideration.

-- 
Jennifer Roth
jen@xxxxxxxxx