How will the Internet Change after the United States Government Lets Go?
This blog has already mentioned the mid-March announcement by the United States government to transition the oversight of key Internet technical functions to the global community. That global community is closely related to Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit entity that’s been operational since 1998 to manage the Internet’s domain names and web addresses. What does all this mean for you, for me, and for all the people and organizations that use the Internet?
The announcement alerts the public that a transition process is being prepared so that when the current contract ending in September 2015, there will be a smooth transition for a consistent and reliable oversight of the Internet. The Internet will continue to operate as it does today and any changes behind-the-scenes concerning the oversight of technical functions would be imperceptible by the public.
When this transition happens, it will be the internationalizing of operational accountability away from the United States to an international coalition. It’s been clearly stated that a condition for this transition is to assure “broad community support” and “maintain the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet Domain System”. This would emphasize the global nature and international scope of the Internet.
This international coalition would be consistent and compatible with ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model of governmental, academic, private sector, and other interested representatives. And, this coalition will have representatives from multiple nations. This model insures the process for governing the Internet will keep everyone’s interests in mind. For more details, refer to this list of frequently asked questions, ICANN 101: Who Will Oversee the Internet? from the Wall Street Journal (March 17, 2014).
In short, the Internet and ICANN will continue to run around the world; it is not ending. Only one thing is changing: the U.S. Government’s role in its oversight of some key Internet technical functions. (The change that is happening on the Internet that will noticeably affect the public is the expanding name space on the Internet, with 1,000+ new domain extensions launching, and that’s what this blog will continue to unpack and explain.)
(photo credit: _after8_)