Comment on ICANN's Proposed Rule on "Morality and Public Order"
Comments: The Free Expression Policy Project (FEPP - www.fepproject.org) is an independent think tank that provides resources and advocacy on censorship issues. FEPP writes to oppose ICANN's proposed rule denying domain names that it determines would violate "morality and public order." These standards are so vague and open-ended as to invite both censorship and self-censorship. It would be difficult for anyone to predict what might be considered immoral or threatening to public order somewhere in our diverse world. ICANN's own report underlines the difficulties. It refers to EU Trademark Office guidelines that include "words or images which are offensive, ... or blasphemous," as well as words "likely significantly to undermine religious, family or social values." The potential for violating ICANN's announced commitment to freedom of expression is obvious. ICANN should not get embroiled in the censorship business. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Heins Free Expression Policy Project |