Europe poised to gain influence over critical internet commission
October 5, 2009
A group that manages and lists all internet domain names will no longer be subject to a veto from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The move was welcomed by the European Commission.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - usually known by the acronym ICANN - has long been criticized for its perceived America-centric policies, such as its lengthy delay in implementing non-English character support on the web. Critics say that this effectively prevented speakers of some languages from using the web at all.
A contract known as the Joint Progress Agreement (JPA) was the mechanism by which the U.S. government exercised authority over ICANN. The agreement expired without being renewed, making ICANN an independent entity. Supporters of the move - like ICANN CEO Paul Levins, speaking to ZDNet Asia - characterize it as a "huge moment for the internet."
The previous agreement had lasted for 11 years. Experts see the new autonomy for ICANN as a step away from the Bush administration's internet policy, which strongly supported the JPA and exerted U.S. influence on the internet at large.
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