Opposition to Proposal to limit use of Proxy Registration Services

[James Schek <jschek@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am opposed to the proposal to limit the use of proxy registration
services or otherwise require the public disclosure of domain ownership
without a court order or similar legal oversight.

The exposure of personally identifiable information through the WHOIS
service can lead to unwanted solicitations, harassment, or personal danger.
Further, without proper legal oversight, information exposed through a
WHOIS search may be abused by individuals, corporations, and law
enforcement. Other legal activities such as free speech and whistleblowing
will be curtailed by the exposure of personally identifiable information as
it would subject individuals or organizations to harm and retaliation.

Limiting this proposal to domains used for "commercial" purposes would
provide insufficient protections. The definition of "commercial" purposes
is overly vague and broad which could lead to abuse or circumvention of the
proposal's intent.

This proposal appears to be protecting the interests of a few industry
interests at the expense of the all other personal, commercial,
non-profit/NGO, and government interests.

Thank you,

James Schek