The ICANN organization met with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) on 14 February 2020 to continue the dialogue about a possible Unified Access Model (UAM) for gTLD registration data. The meeting followed publication of ICANN org’s “Exploring a Unified Access Model for gTLD Registration Data” paper and accompanying questions sent to the European Data […]

As we approach the new Financial Year in July 2020, the Asia Pacific (APAC) regional office is working to align its focus areas and activities to the ICANN FY21-25 Strategic Plan. We are currently seeking the APAC community's feedback and input on our draft APAC Regional Plan for FY21-25. Our regional engagement efforts have always […]

From 7 to 9 February 2020, the third Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3) held a face-to-face meeting at the ICANN office in Brussels, Belgium. We had a nearly full-house turnout of review team members who actively participated in the meeting either in-person or remotely. We also had a number of dedicated observers who followed […]

The ICANN Board and ICANN org have been closely monitoring COVID-19 since it was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The World Health Organization now considers COVID-19 a global health emergency. As we approach ICANN67 in Cancún, Mexico, we continue to assess the situation because, as we have stated before, the health and […]

The 40th Root Key Signing Key Ceremony, originally scheduled for 12 February 2020 in El Segundo, California, has been postponed. One of the security mechanisms that protects the contents of the secure safes was found to be malfunctioning. The safes contain critical material used in the ceremonies, including but not limited to the hardware security […]

From 24 to 26 January 2020, the ICANN Board held its first workshop of the calendar year at ICANN’s Los Angeles, California, office. Holding our workshop in an ICANN office is a great opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between the Board and the ICANN org, so the Board welcomes and appreciates the change. On Thursday, […]

ICANN Public Comment is a mechanism that gives the ICANN community and stakeholders an opportunity to provide input and feedback. Public Comment is used in the policy development process, and to guide implementation work, reviews, and operational activities of the ICANN organization. On 3 January 2020, the Public Comment opened for the proposed amendment to […]

EPDP Team group photo taken in November 2019 during ICANN66 Montréal On behalf of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) Team on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data, I am pleased to announce the publication of the Team's Phase 2 Initial Report and the opening of the Public Comment period. The Initial Report sets […]

Since ICANN’s inception, Public Comment has been a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. Public Comment is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change, improve policies and operations, and assist the ICANN Board and the organization in […]

As you are likely aware, there has been an outbreak of a new coronavirus, 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOV), which was first identified in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread, with confirmed cases currently in 18 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that this is a Global Health Emergency. The health and safety of ICANN’s […]

We’re watching you: The U.S. CIA secretly had an ownership stake in Swiss encryption company Crypto AG for decades and was able to read encrypted messages sent using the company’s technology, the Washington Post reports. West German intelligence agencies worked with the CIA. Forbes columnist Jody Westby called for a congressional investigation. We’re watching you, […]

Security on your mind: The Internet Society’s Chapter in Benin recently hosted a conference focused on online security and on connectivity issues. Much of the discussion focused on instability of connections in the country, with participants concerned about degraded connections. Participants also talked about limited coverage for mobile services. On the topic of security, speakers […]

Internet builders in Asia-Pacific get together around this time every year at APRICOT to learn from each other and other leaders from around the world. Routing security will be a key theme, and we will be sharing in multiple sessions why the MANRS initiative is important to the global routing system. Also called the Asia-Pacific […]

Safer Internet Day is an opportunity for people and organizations around the world to join forces in a series of activities and events dedicated to working towards a more secure Internet. I’m really excited to take part in the activities organized by the Brazilian hub of Safer Internet Day, where the topic of encryption in […]

The FBI weighs in, again: The U.S. FBI, which has complained for years about the lack of access to encrypted communications, isn’t yet ready to call for legislation that would force tech companies to let police in, FCW.com reports. During a recent congressional hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.) asked if there was “meaningful legislation that […]

As Chair of the Internet Society Nominations Committee, I am pleased to announce the slates of candidates for the 2020 Board of Trustees elections. The candidates for each slate are listed below in alphabetical order by last name. Chapters Election (two seats available) Satish Babu Maymouna Diop Luis Miguel Martinez Glenn McKnight Amir Qayyum Roberto […]

Our members play a vital role in working for an open, globally-connected, and secure Internet for all – through their experience, knowledge, and passion. For this reason, we’re excited to announce the Internet Society’s 2020 Chapters Training Program. The Chapters Training Program will be the first engagement and learning program for members that focuses on developing new […]

Collaboration and shared responsibility are two pillars of the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS) initiative, which we support so that there is a baseline of routing security for network operators around the world. The same values apply to running the MANRS Observatory, an online tool we launched in August that lets users track […]

Broadband expansions: There were several news articles this week about broadband deployments, including places in the U.S. that still were lacking access. Masslive.com reports that Princeton, Massachusetts, with a population of more than 3,400, finally has gotten high-speed Internet access. More than 35 towns in the state still lack access. In Princeton, the local pizza […]

How do you make your web server as secure as possible – while using the latest open security standards? How do you ensure your web site is available to everyone  across all the global network of networks that is the Internet?  For the Internet to remain open, globally-connected, trustworthy, and secure, we believe the networks […]