title: Online Abuse Prevention Initiative
text: # Online Abuse Prevention Initiative
  
  The Online Abuse Prevention Initiative (OAPI) is a non-profit organization whose aim is to study and combat abuse on the Internet.
  
  ## History
  
  OAPI was created by Randi Lee Harper in response to Twitter's lack of tools for filtering online harassment. OAPI was founded in 2015, with Crash Override Network's Zoë Quinn and Alex Lifschitz stated as serving on the inaugural board of directors. In March 2015 Quinn announced a formal partnership between the two organizations.
  
  ## Activities
  
  The stated goals of the OAPI are to study online abuse, and to reduce and mitigate it through technical measures and collaboration with tech companies. Its first public campaign was an open letter to ICANN, the organization responsible for coordinating the Internet's Domain Name System, opposing the latter's plans to end anonymity of WHOIS records for commercial websites. OAPI argues that ICANN's proposals will make it easier for abusers to physically endanger domain name registrants through doxxing and swatting, and that those marginalized for their race, gender, or sexual orientation are disproportionately at risk. The letter attracted signatures and support from over fifty organizations supporting online privacy or protection of at-risk communities, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, The Tor Project, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
  
  