Privacy isn't just for fraud - consider who you might be exposing with potential P/P rule changes

[Matthew Bafford <matthew@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I am writing to ask that ICANN consider the implications carefully for any
changes to the contact information disclosure policies with respect to
Privacy and Proxy ("P/P") services.

There are a lot of people who need to use P/P services for reasons beyond
fraud - some peoples lives could be on the line, and opening up the rules
in any way that relaxes the burden of proof for disclosure could have
devastating impacts on real lives. There are many people who own their own
domain names and publish valid and useful information that corporations,
governments, and other individuals would be very eager to uncover the
source of and harass (or worse) the individuals responsible. We already
have a system (the court system) in place for providing a means of due
process for exposing people who are justifiably exposed - there's no need
to make the process easier for people without due cause to circumvent P/P
services.

Additionally, I feel that commercial entities should be entitled to use P/P
services, as long as the goal is not to commit fraud. "Commercial" can be a
hard line to draw, and any rule which errs on the side of including too
many people will do more harm than it will benefit.

I hope that ICANN has the interests of the individuals and groups who
legitimately need P/P services at heart and is not being swayed by
corporate interests.

Thank you for your consideration,

--Matthew