USA No Longer 'Controls' the Net

Icann will now operate without the ultimate oversight of the US government.

20:41 03 October 2016

A judge in Texas has allowed the final handover of Internet naming power from the US government to a non-profit group.

 

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) has administered the naming since 1998 under the oversight of the US government. However, the ruling allows Icann to operate independently starting on Saturday.

 

Four US states filed a joint motion on Thursday in an attempt to block the handover from going ahead.

 

Marc Rylander, a spokesman for the Texas attorney general, said: "We’re disappointed with the ruling,”

 

"It’s a dire day in our country when the president is allowed to unilaterally give away America’s pioneering role in ensuring that the Internet remains a place where free expression can flourish.

 

"We will continue to weigh our options as the suit moves forward."

 

Prior to the decision, the US government has held the power to veto any decision that Icann made – something it very rarely did.

 

Meanwhile, the handover plans were supported by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). 

 

"This effort by a small number of attorneys general is misguided and inconsistent with the founding values of the internet,” said ITI president Dean Garfield.

 

"It is an ironic endeavour because the transition will actually keep the internet an open and flourishing engine of innovation and open global communication.”