[RAA-WG] Transparency required

[Derek Smythe]

Hi Everybody

Please see http://www.knujon.com/news.html#11022008 - End Registrar 
Secrecy - You Can Help!

'A review of the RAA is currently underway and KnujOn is seeking that 
the following language (or equivalent) be added to the RAA:

"All Accredited Registrars must submit main office location, including 
country, to be publicly disclosed in ICANN web directory. Post Office 
boxes, Incorporation addresses, and mail-forwarding locations will not 
be acceptable. Registrars must also provide for public display the name 
of CEO or President. ICANN must be notified within 30 days of a location 
or presiding officer change.” '


I support this call for transparency. Registrants certainly have the 
right to know who they are dealing with, where their credit card details 
will go, who will be giving them support etc.

I myself have had occasion to talk to a support team in Eastern Europe 
for a domain that was not functioning, for a registrar supposedly in the 
USA, then waiting for European day staff to arrive to finally resolve 
the issue.

Additionally, I would also like to know where to whom my credit card 
details and other personal information will go if I register a domain, 
certainly I have this right? As can be seen from the above article on 
KnujOn, this is an extremely valid point.

By the same token, I believe a similar version of the above provision 
should apply to providers of privacy services. How can the current RAA, 
item 3.7.7.3,  be applied without this information?
http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/ra-agreement-17may01.htm#3.7.7.3

Without this information, we will forever be fighting a battle of smoke 
and mirrors, yet what is needed is trust and honesty.

Thank you

Derek Smythe