Open copy of letter requesting ICANN explain policy on this issue, so that consumers
know they are protected, and so we can take this forum seriously (there's no point
having this forum if ICANN won't answer fair questions and offer advice):Dear
Vint,
I've posted a message on the ICANN Public Forum for New TLDs and I feel that
there's no point having a public forum in the interests of openness, transparency
and accountability unless ICANN is prepared to respond to serious and fairly-expressed
questions and engage in dialogue. Otherwise, it gives the impression of evasion and
defensiveness, and makes ICANN seem uncaring about honesty and consumer interests.
I
wondered if you could either respond to me about the issues posted on the forum (and
set out below); or respond at the forum (which would show that ICANN took its own
forum seriously); or get one of your colleagues to respond at the forum openly and
publicly on behalf of ICANN.
I'd be grateful for this in the interests of public
confidence in your organisation, and so that your own forums can be taken seriously.
I'm not asking for comments on the specific registrars mentioned, but on ICANN's
policy when it is accrediting and advertising Registrars on its own site, if those
Registrars are shown to have carried out fraudulent actions in conflict with consumer
interests.
I get the impression that ICANN does not see itself as a "policeman"
and has a mandate to allow the rough and tumble of a free market, but what is its
policy with regard to actively sponsoring companies through accreditation, if they
commit fraudulent activity?
With regards
Richard Henderson