ICANN - Privacy is a civil right

[Kevin Smith <kevins@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN –

The current system that allows WHOIS information to be kept private from
casual searchers works well, and provides necessary protections. Forcing
this information to be public could have a chilling effect on people
registering domains and creating web sites.

Of course it would have the biggest effect on disadvantaged people, who
don't have the funds to set up their own privacy screens (e.g. LLC's),
and who are at risk of being targeted by abusive government regimes. It
would also likely reduce the number of female-registered domains, since
they are so often targeted for online harassment.

Private information should be kept private. Thank you.

Kevin