IT Jobs
US should give up Internet domain control says EU
Time for sharing says commissioner.
By Paul Meller, IDG News Service
Published: 04:32 GMT, 05 May 09
The US should relinquish control of Internet governance said the European commissioner for Internet-related issues.Viviane Reding has called for a new multilateral approach once the current system expires at the end of September.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a private, not-for profit corporation established in California. It is responsible for some of the most sensitive issues related to Internet governance, such as top-level domains and management of the Domain Name System, which ensures that millions of computers can connect to each other.
ICANN is partly controlled by the US Department of Commerce. Earlier attempts to internationalize ICANN failed. Reding said the change of administration in Washington offered renewed hope in this direction.
"I trust that President Obama will have the courage, the wisdom and the respect for the global nature of the Internet to pave the way in September for a new, more accountable, more transparent, more democratic and more multilateral form of Internet governance," she said in a video blog on her website.
The time to act is now, she added. "And Europe will be ready to support President Obama in his efforts," she said.
ICANN's remit expires on 30 September. Reding proposed a successor body of the same name that is fully privatized, applying strict transparency rules. She also suggested setting up an independent judicial body as well as an intergovernmental body, possibly based on the G12 forum of governments from around the world, to oversee ICANN in future.
"In the long run, it is not defendable that the government department of only one country has oversight of an Internet function which is used by hundreds of millions of people in countries all over the world," Reding said.
A "G12 for Internet governance" would be an informal group of government representatives that meets at least twice a year. The group would provide swift reaction in case of threats to the stability, security and openness of the Internet, Reding suggested.
To be geographically balanced, this body would include two representatives each from North America, South America, Europe and Africa, three from Asia and one from Australia, as well as the chairman of ICANN as a non-voting member, she added.
On 6 May the European Commission will host a public hearing in Brussels on the future of Internet governance.
Add your commentComments
Tara Sev | Published: 17:28 GMT, 24 June 2009
I agree with the commenter Steve above. I am sorry Viviane Reding of the EU, a good idea at heart, but the reality is we actually need the US goverment to get involved now. Thanks for but no thanks. When ICANN can prove to be rid of cybersquatters and overpaid executives, then I am more than happy for independence.
Scott | Published: 16:13 GMT, 07 May 2009
As the research, development, implementation was developed and paid for by us taxpayer's...I would like to see the us maintain control.
Steve | Published: 15:42 GMT, 05 May 2009
If the EU's recent performance record in terms of getting agreement on ANYTHING from its member states is any indication of things to come, then it isn't ready to have a say in managing the pay-toilet system at the Rome airport, let alone the internet. Ms. Reding, like others in the EU, is apparently happy to assume control of institutions and infrastructures designed, built -- and substantially paid for -- by others.
krisc | Published: 08:54 GMT, 05 May 2009
It is about time for real democracy not just US dictatorship.
Marty R. Milette | Published: 06:54 GMT, 05 May 2009
Considering the EU's recent treatment of Intel and Microsoft -- I'd suggest that the EU isn't quite ready to take control of anything.