If you own a domain name, you know the benefits of registering it under a private proxy which keeps your name, address and contact information away from the prying eyes of spammers, stalkers or solicitors. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, (NTIA), the telecommunications and Internet arm of the Department of Commerce, has disallowed private registrations for .US domain names. This was made without a hearing or an opportunity for a rebuttal or response from those affected. After giving only two weeks’ notice, the NTIA has stated that they would not consider any arguments and that its decision is final. According to a website called The Danger of No Privacy, here is a list of the reasons you want an anonymous domain name registration.
- protection from stalkers and harassers.
- protection against solicitation and unwelcome visitors for home-based Web businesses.
- protection for loved ones associated with a family Web site or domain name.
- protection against SPAM and phishing (an email falsely claiming to be a legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft).
- protection against attempts to steal identities and/or money.
- protection against general solicitations via phone and/or fax.
- the right to operate a Web site anonymously.
- the ability to speak anonymously (a First Amendment right confirmed by the Supreme Court).
They have an online petition that you can sign and send to your elected officials. You can find it here.