Icann Agreement

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On September 30, 2018, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reached an agreement that took effect on October 1, 2018. The agreement, known as the ICANN agreement, is a significant milestone in the history of the internet. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the ICANN agreement and what it means for the future of the internet.

First, let`s take a look at what ICANN is. ICANN is a non-profit organization that manages the assignment of domain names and IP addresses. It is responsible for maintaining the stability and security of the internet’s global domain name system (DNS). The DNS is the backbone of the internet, allowing users to navigate the web by entering domain names (such as www.google.com) instead of IP addresses.

The ICANN agreement is a renewal of the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICANN and the NTIA, which was established in 1998. The MoU allowed the NTIA to oversee ICANN`s activities and ensure that it acted in the public interest. However, the NTIA announced in 2014 that it would transition its oversight role to the global internet community, through a process called the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) stewardship transition.

The ICANN agreement is the final step in the IANA stewardship transition, which saw the transfer of the internet’s core infrastructure functions from the US government to the global internet community. The ICANN agreement confirms that ICANN is now accountable to the global internet community and is no longer subject to NTIA oversight.

The ICANN agreement also includes a commitment to preserve the security, stability, and resiliency of the DNS. This means that ICANN must work to prevent cyber threats and protect against attacks that could disrupt the internet’s infrastructure.

Another important aspect of the ICANN agreement is its commitment to transparency. ICANN must publish more information about its operations, including financial reports, audits, and details of its decision-making processes. This will give the global internet community greater insight into how ICANN operates and ensure that it remains accountable to its stakeholders.

In conclusion, the ICANN agreement is a crucial milestone in the evolution of the internet. It confirms that ICANN is now accountable to the global internet community and is committed to preserving the security, stability, and transparency of the internet’s infrastructure. As the internet continues to grow and evolve, the ICANN agreement will play a significant role in ensuring that it remains a safe and secure space for all users.