May 5th Proposal regarding WHOIS privacy

[Dana Sch <dana_sch@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The proposal to require the exposure of WHOIS data for all commercial sites is 
downright dangerous. 
I'm a female writer who has two commercial domains associated with my 
pseudonym. I use a proxy service to protect my WHOIS data. I am very careful 
about protecting my legal name and my privacy. I've had to deal with a stalker 
in the past, and I do NOT want to risk having my legal name and address exposed 
to all and sundry. I receive enough creepy, disturbing, and unwanted attention 
from strange men on the Internet as it is. If they could easily find my legal 
name, I'd be terrified. 
There is no reason to change the existing system. If anyone has a legitimate 
reason to know that information, they can file a legal order to get it. 
Otherwise, they have no right to it. This is an enormous safety issue for every 
female owner of a website. It doesn't take much to set off some disturbed 
individuals, and the idea that one of them could show up on my front doorstep 
is horrifying. 
This proposal would also curb and curtail the right of many people, especially 
women, to free speech. Imagine what could happen to someone who owned a web 
site that advocated for pro-choice positions or gun control or any other 
controversial topic? This isn't a theoretical risk. People can and will be 
killed for what they say. Everyone has the right to protect their privacy, most 
especially those people who are already taking a risk by speaking out in 
support of unpopular or controversial topics. 

Dana Schmeller