It seems that two important interests for internet users are at odds in domain registration- freedom of expression and protection from criminals. Is this really the case? If so, how could you ever value one more than the other? Is there some sort of matrix that lists possible reforms in relations to their impact on both of these fronts such as a catalog of methods of verification, how each might impact freedom of expression alongside how they might impact cyber criminals? For example, if we could weigh the likelihood that criminal activity would diminish by x percent from a 24 hour delay in getting a domain registration completed versus the harm to a concerned public having to wait a day to get their ProtectFlufferNutterSandwichsNow.com, then we can have a substantive debate on whether that reform is worth the effort. A few cyber- criminals will be able to circumvent anything, just as people with a burning issue will find a way to speak regardless of the consequences. But it's hard to make sense of the trade offs in the abstract. -dharma On Sep 15, 2009, at 12:25 AM, Bret Fausett wrote:
I would not support any proposal that imposes delay on the ability of an individual to register a domain name. One of the strengths of the Internet is the speed with which users can publish and speak. You see this especially around newsworthy events, where minutes after something important or interesting has happened, people are registering domain names and using the traffic that flows in to say something.
A postal verification process would add an incremental accuracy gain while burdening the ability to speak and react in real time to world events -- and the "bad guys" would subvert it anyway.
-- Bret
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