ICANN calls for public input in US government breakaway

ICANN is seeking feedback on its plans to form a group tasked with overseeing its breakaway from the US government.

The organisation has proposed creating a “steering group”, which would consist of 22 members and an ICANN board member liaison.

Last month the US government announced its intention to leave the contract with ICANN that allows it to manage the domain name system.

ICANN has operated in partnership with the US Department of Commerce since 2000.

Known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the contract has been renewed several times since its inception. It expires in September 2015.

In a document, released on April 9, ICANN said it hopes to have implemented the new “steering” group by the ICANN 50 meeting in London in June.

But it is seeking comments on whether the group should be created, who should be on it, and what it would do.

ICANN’s proposals were based on views gathered at the ICANN 49 meeting in Singapore in March.

The US has said ICANN’s eventual transition proposal must have “broad community support” and address four main principles.

They are: to support and enhance the multi-stakeholder model; maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the internet domain name system; meet the needs and expectation of the global customers and partners of the IANA services; and maintain the openness of the internet.

According to ICANN, the Singapore discussions also confirmed the need for “a parallel but separate process” to examine broader globalisation and accountability mechanisms.

“Building on discussions held in Singapore at the public session, this process is beginning (in parallel with the transition process) in a bottom-up manner,” ICANN said.

Any agreed transition proposal would need to be submitted to the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration for approval.