It would be a pretty aggressive response, and certainly not one anyone would be pleased with at all. Not consumers, not ICANN, and not anyone really. But... the European Union is being extremely aggressive here to start with. They are seeking to dictate global policy and threatening gigantic sanctions if not responded to on a very short timetable. One would have to presume that they would prefer the database being blocked from access to its continued accessibility, and that might be the only possible option in order to avoid those sanctions.

I certainly do hope there are other less destructive solutions, but it's not like GDPR or the problems it has with WHOIS just sprung up suddenly. The EU knew this was going to be challenging and would require discussion, but the discussion has apparently reached the point where they have decided going on the offensive is their best option. It's not like ICANN could just flip a switch and change everything to be in compliance but they're refusing to. What the EU wants is a huge change, and you can't just stamp your feet and expect it to magically happen. But that's the unreasonable path they've chosen.