Re: New WHOIS rules - Private information should be kept private

[Cyle Ferguson <trgdr777@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN,

Regarding the proposed rules governing companies that provide WHOIS privacy
services (as set forth in the Privacy and Policy Services Accreditation
Issues Policy document):

This is a terrible attack on the privacy of internet users. It does nothing
but provide an avenue to harass, exploit, and abuse vulnerable individuals.
The effects of these guidelines on marginalized people including women,
people of color, religious minorities, and/or LGBTQIA would be devastating.
No one should  have to expose themselves to stalkers, expose their families
to predators, or become a target of hate groups in order to conduct
business on the internet. The right to privacy is such an important safety
issue that must be upheld in order for everyone to be able to participate
as online creators. There should be strict safeguards in place to protect
everyone from people who wish to abuse the rules. I urge you to respect
internet users' rights to privacy and due process.
- Everyone deserves the right to privacy.
- No one’s personal information should be revealed without a court order,
regardless of whether the request comes from a private individual or law
enforcement agency.

Private information should be kept private. Thank you.