ICANN Set To Review Accreditation Policy

tinkertim writes "ICANN is re-evaluating the scope and purpose of its accreditations, apparently sparked by the recent collapse of garage domain name registrar Registerfly. In a press release dated March 21, 2007, President and CEO of ICANN, Dr Paul Twomey is quoted as saying : 'What has happened to registrants with RegisterFly.com has made it clear there must be comprehensive review of the registrar accreditation process and the content of the RAA.' Dr. Twomey is blaming (in part) 'weaknesses in the RAA' for severe and undue hardships that many registrants encountered when trying to transfer names away from the failing registrar, Registerfly. Many new points to be discussed include allowing registrants to view the performance of registrars in an 'independent comparative way', as well as new language to allow ICANN to forcibly intercede in the face of wide spread, persistent and consistent complaints. 10 good points for discussion are listed by Dr. Twomey in the release, who invites all ICANN stakeholders to participate in re-evaluating the RAA. Registerfly, the catalyst for this re-write does not officially lose their accredited status until March 31, 2007, and continues to display the ICANN seal on their web site."

Comments

Proxy registrations

[Baricom]

Personally, my biggest concern about the proposed agenda is discussions about proxy registrations. I hold proxy registrations on three domains, and I feel it's important to me -- important enough that I would seriously consider dropping my domains if they were done away with.

Proxy registrations are necessary because of what I consider a flaw with domain name registration as it exists today. You should NOT require personal domain owners to broadcast their street address, home phone number, and e-mail address to the world via WHOIS. It's an extreme privacy breach.

Instead, I would suggest that individuals (not businesses) be permitted to hide their registrations but remain the legal owners. This would be analogous to the way PO boxes are rented - businesses must consent to the release of their street address when renting, while individuals need not.

Re:Proxy registrations

[mandelbr0t]

Except that hosting an Internet domain could be construed as having broadcast equipment. Personally, I can't see how you have any honest intentions in hiding the fact that you are domain owner. Where do abuse reports get sent when someone starts sending spam using your domain name? What about take-down notices when someone posts copyrighted material on a website with your domain name? An Internet domain isn't a passive entity: it can be the source of a broadcast as well as the end-point. If you want to have an anonymous webspace, then use one of the many options that are available to you. The Internet is already too anonymous without domain owners being willing to take responsibility for their own domain.

Re:Proxy registrations

[packeteer]

Could you perhaps just get a personal PO box? Wouldn't that shield you from giving away your home address while still letting you receive official mail about your domain?