Privacy advocates, public interest groups and even some celebrities are raising alarms about a proposal that could limit the ability of some website owners to disguise themselves.
The issue has caught fire over the past few months as an obscure organization that manages the Internet's domain name system was inundated with comments about a proposal that could bar commercial websites from using proxies to register their web addresses.
Advocates argue anonymity is a key feature of free speech online, and removing that protection from people who create a website for commercial purposes could open vulnerable populations up to abuse.
El Reg reports:
As it stands on the last day of the comment period – 7 July – there are over 11,000 responses and the issue may break the previous record when ICANN proposed giving the green light to internet extension '.xxx' which would be used exclusively for adult content websites (in that case there were 12,757 comments).
Get while the gettin's good, Anonymous Cowards!
[Editor's Note: The "obscure organization" being ICANN...]
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 12 2015, @06:18PM
If I register a domain name, I don't want my name and address to be known. I have gotten spam snail mail that way.
(Score: 2, Disagree) by frojack on Sunday July 12 2015, @06:35PM
Spam snail mail costs you exactly nothing. Just sayin...
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 5, Touché) by Justin Case on Sunday July 12 2015, @06:40PM
> Spam snail mail costs you exactly nothing.
Good. Please post your physical mailing address, then check back in a month and let me know how much you enjoyed the seconds I shaved off your life by making you sort and toss a ton of junk mail.
(Score: 2, Disagree) by frojack on Sunday July 12 2015, @07:15PM
yeah, nice try son.
But I'm not attempting to operate a commercial enterprise on the net while hiding behind an anonymous registration.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 12 2015, @07:37PM
WTF? I want to register a domain and I don't want my name and address associated with domains I register.
Oooooh it could be used by commercial enterprises or spammers! Tough shit.
(Score: 1) by TheMessageNotTheMessenger on Sunday July 12 2015, @08:49PM
You have something to hide! What's next? You one a dem terrist or something?
Hello! :D
(Score: 2) by Justin Case on Monday July 13 2015, @01:59AM
Neither am I.
Son.
(Score: 2) by Marand on Sunday July 12 2015, @06:41PM
That was my first thought as well. I've had non-anonymous domains before and the address I gave (a PO box) frequently got junk mail and scam attempts addressed to the name of the domain reg. This was years ago and I imagine it's only gotten worse since then. Probably one of the best reasons to register via proxy to hide your info.
At least you can still use post office boxes as an alternative if this outcry causes change. Until the next round of whining leads to requiring a home address and DNA samples, that is.