Hi All,
Per email of a few hours ago, this session Monday at 11am is a key one for us -- it's the new "whois" information (now called "gTLD Directory Services") and some of the questions probe deeply in privacy issues... and speech... and could (potentially) resolve problems we have had for years in the Whois.

Please see the full announcement, but check out some of the questions being asked below. Thick Whois WG members, can you come? Everyone, please come! :

-      Whether collection, storage and provision of registrant data is necessary;
·      Whether to incorporate different registration data requirements for domain names for commercial use versus non-commercial use;
·      Whether and how anonymous registrations should be accommodated;
·      Potential costs/benefits of a distributed versus a centralized database;
·      Possible safeguards to minimize abuse and protect the privacy of registrants;
·      Whether and how remedies for inaccurate data should differ (for example,  in cases of fraudulent, criminal, or malicious conduct);
·      Whether tiered access is desirable, depending upon the requestor’s purpose.
Best,
Kathy
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Begin forwarded message:

From: Alice Jansen <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Invitation-Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services - Beijing Session - Mon, 8 April - 11:00-12:30
Date: April 3, 2013 5:30:19 PM GMT+08:00
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>

On behalf of the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services (EWG)

Dear Mr. Drake,

As you may recall, in December 2012, ICANN announced the creation of an Expert Working Group (EWG) on gTLD Directory Services, as a first step in fulfilling the ICANN Board’s directive to help redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data. The work of the EWG is expected to serve as a foundation to help GNSO create a new global policy for gTLD directory services, as part of a Board requested Policy Development Process (PDP) to be commenced upon the conclusion of the EWG’s activities.

 

Beijing presents a unique opportunity for the EWG to provide an update on its progress and to hear from the ICANN community to inform its post-Beijing work. The EWG invites the NCUC to attend their session on Monday, 8 April 2013 at 11:00-12:30 in Grand Hall A to share your comments and feedback with them (please refer to session details: http://beijing46.icann.org/node/37051).

 

Participants will be invited to comment on questions currently under discussion within the EWG, including:

 

·      Whether collection, storage and provision of registrant data is necessary;
·      Whether to incorporate different registration data requirements for domain names for commercial use versus non-commercial use;
·      Whether and how anonymous registrations should be accommodated;
·      Potential costs/benefits of a distributed versus a centralized database;
·      Possible safeguards to minimize abuse and protect the privacy of registrants;
·      Whether and how remedies for inaccurate data should differ (for example,  in cases of fraudulent, criminal, or malicious conduct);
·      Whether tiered access is desirable, depending upon the requestor’s purpose.

 

Any additional feedback will be welcome.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the EWG’s work, please visit EWG’s wiki at: https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=40175189  for meeting reports and other information regarding the EWG’s activities.

 

The EWG looks forward to this exchange and thanks you in advance for your participation.

 

Safe travels and see you in Beijing.

 

Very best regards,

 

ICANN Staff on behalf of the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services (EWG)






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