[NA-Discuss] Getting the WHOIS word out to users

[RJGlass | America@Large]

Good story.  I think the biggest problem is misinformation.

If the public thinks having a public WHOIS will stop spam, #1 they're
misled, #2 they'll support it.

Unfortunately, we're in a FOX news era temporarily, and naivity will prevail
over reality.

I think most of the people here are smarter than that.  So, translating that
to the public and making it real is something I think we should discuss with
importance.  I always think about what I would have to say to my grandma -
someone who was alive before there were airplanes - if I were to explain the
IPv4 - IPv6 conversion.  First thing, keep it simple, and second, what
matters to her.

There are technical solutions to spam, but the public is being misled
because they use email so often.  Analyzing the Asian markets is fascinating
in that the propensity to use email is declining in favor of mobile
devices.  When spammers take over wireless devices, the providers will be as
involved as they are now with ISPs, they'll permit whatever makes them
money.

The key point to our concern, I think is stated in the article:
----
"Whois rules contradict many international privacy laws, some say. In Canada
and Europe, for example, it's generally illegal for a company to make any
consumers' personal information available to others.

"As a Canadian company, we have laws to abide by. It's very questionable
whether ICANN policy is consistent with Canadian law," Rader said.
On the other hand, the U.S. government position is clear: Keep Whois
available." (http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/09/to-some-its-the.html)
---
It is this reason that we should discuss this issue and encourage ICANN
follow a certain path.  This highlights the responsibility to our
constituency.  This is not just a legal issue, it's beyond that.  Rather,
there are moral ramifications across borders.

Thanks Beau and Wendy !

aloha,

RJGlass
A at L
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