Introduction
The following individuals composed an initial draft of this Statement [PDF, 353 KB] after discussion of the topic within At-Large and on the Mailing Lists:
- Holly Raiche, ALAC member from the Asian, Australasian and Pacific Islands Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) and APRALO Chair;
- Carlton Samuels, ALAC member from the Latin American and Caribbean Islands Regional At-Large Organization (LACRALO) and ALAC Leadership Team Vice-Chair; and
- Evan Leibovitch, ALAC member from the North American Regional At-Large Organization (NARALO) and ALAC Leadership Team Vice-Chair.
On 27 September 2013, this Statement was posted on the At-Large Study on Whois Privacy & Proxy Service Abuse Workspace https://community.icann.org/x/-xWMAg.
On 30 September 2013, Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, requested ICANN Policy Staff in support of the ALAC to send a Call for Comments on the draft Statement to all At-Large members via the ALAC Announce Mailing List http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/pipermail/alac-announce/2013q3/001230.html.
A version incorporating the comments received was later posted to the aforementioned website.
On 14 October 2013, the Chair of the ALAC requested that ICANN Policy Staff in support of the ALAC open a ratification vote on the Statement.
On 22 October 2013, Staff confirmed that the online vote resulted in the ALAC endorsing the Statement with 13 votes in favor, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions. You may review the result independently under: http://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=3493QbuWvqfQ8WjaCdLe6Wss
Summary
- While the Study acknowledges the many legitimate uses of privacy and proxy services, it points to the use of such services to hide the identify of the perpetrator engaged in the misuse of malicious use of the Internet.
- The 2013 changes to the RAA included a framework for an accreditation scheme for privacy and proxy services. However, the important elements of such a scheme, particularly the balance between the legitimate needs for privacy, data security and law enforcement, are still to be developed.
- The ALAC generally welcomed the many changes to the RAA passed by the Board in 2013. However, the ALAC made two recommendations, the importance of which are underlined by this study http://atlarge.icann.org/correspondence/correspondence-04jun13-en.htm.
The ALAC supports this study and the clear support it provides for the development of a strong privacy and proxy service provider accreditation scheme and for accuracy and verification requirements covering all Whois information, including those who use privacy and proxy service providers.