iCANN - Respect Our Privacy

["Tim N." <tim@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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.
The vast majority of webmasters, including myself, are as honest as the 
day is long. We are simply trying to either inform the public on 
legitimate subject matter and information we wish to impart, or to carry 
on some legitimate business venture. We are absolutely not doing 
anything illegal. It would be a big mistake to paint all webmasters with 
the same 'suspicious' brush.
The reason we choose to have our most vital information hidden from 
WHOIS, is because we do not wish to be contacted by any person that 
simply wants to bother us. This is our right. It's no different or 
suspicious than having an unlisted phone number.
I needn't remind you that there are also many unscrupulous people, 
including hackers, who have a mind to cause trouble for others, 
including using personal information for any nefarious purpose that 
suits their deranged minds.
While this is not likely to happen to most of us, we nevertheless ought 
to avoid giving them the opportunity to do so. Protecting our personal 
information, especially on the internet, is of prime importance to each 
and every one of us.
Even the most marginally dishonest operators should still be considered 
innocent until proven guilty by due process.
Private information should be kept private. Thank you.


Tim Nichol