ICANN - Respect Our Privacy

[Ehud Gavron <Ehud.Gavron@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICAN policy makers.

I originated RFC-1535 on DNS flaws in TLD.TLD domains. 
I run a company which is a Tucows/OpenSRS registrar.
I sold Wallstreet.com for one million dollars.
I own many other domain names, including a three-letter .COM one.


To put it bluntly I've been helpfully and incredibly invested in DNS from
before ICAN even existed.  These efforts include helping improve its
software, and its health and security.

I've invested time, money, and energy into the Domain Name System.
Despite all that, there are times I do not want my private information
made public.  What I choose to make private and when I choose to
do so is what I decide.

The proposed rules on NICNAMES (what you now call "WHOIS")
privacy services, discussed in your Privacy and Policy Services Accreditation
Issues Policy document *GREATLY CONCERN* me.

The ability to speak anonymously is a recognized and protected United
States First Amendment right.  Rights should not be attempted to be
taken away by organizations -- such as ICANN -- requiring those of us
who wish to own domain names, register domain names, and speak
either in the choice of name or registration info to disclose that information
to third parties *ABSENT A VALID ORDER FROM A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION*.

I am not a criminal.  I do not wish to be presumed one, and have
information I deem private released to others without a Court order.


Private information should be kept private.

I don't just *ask* you, I *STRONGLY URGE* you to not adopt this
policy; I urge you to continue to allow private domain registration
information to remain private absent a court order; I urge you to
state publicly ICANN's commitment and support of the rights
guaranteed by the First Amendment and specifically the right to
speak anonymously both on the Internet, and in registering
domains on the Internet.

Lastly, I'm a helicopter pilot.  I tend to see things from a bit
higher up than ground level.  The damage you'd do to free
speech would be catastrophic. 

Private information must be kept private -- by everyone it is
entrusted to.

Thanks for your time.

Ehud Gavron
Tucson AZ US