against weakening registration privacy

[Nick Levinson <nick_levinson@xxxxxxxxx>]

I object to your making anyone disclose a registrant's identity and contact 
information without a warrant or subpoena.

If you do that, I think lawyers will become new privacy or proxy service 
providers for their clients. They won't have to get your approval or a 
registrar's approval and their attorney-client privilege will protect secret 
registrants. That privilege is already embodied in law above that of your 
registry agreements.

I think the courts have already recognized a right of anonymity under 
Constitutional free speech law. They still enforce warrants and subpoenas but 
at least someone desiring that information will have to justify it to the court.

Worldwide, there are antidemocratic governments that are anxious to know who 
their critics are and where to arrest them.

I don't use privacy registration but have considered it (as a way to prevent 
domain theft) and respect the needs of people who are stalked and need to 
protect their lives and safety while speaking out, who criticize institutions 
who sue over mere negative publicity, or who live under repressive regimes 
beyond an ocean and should not get arrested this easily.

Thank you.

-- 
Nick