On turning over control of ICANN to foreign interests

Category: Editorials Editorials
Published: 08 October 2016 08 October 2016

Editor's Note: These are examples of form letters being sent to those who protest the turning over of ICANN control by the U.S. to the United Nations. The one from Reid was forwarded to this editor by a friend.

September 30, 2016

Thank you for contacting me to express your views regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) plan to relinquish stewardship over the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Domain Name System (DNS). I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

Currently, the U.S. government retains limited authority over the Internet's website domain naming system, through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions contract between the NTIA and the ICANN. Through authority granted in this contract, the NTIA exerts a legacy authority and stewardship over ICANN. Currently, the contract is set to expire on September 30, 2016. On March 14, 2014, the NTIA announced its intention to transition its stewardship role and procedural authority over key Internet domain name functions to the global Internet multistakeholder community. On March 10, 2016, the ICANN Board formally accepted the multistakeholder community's transition plan and forwarded that plan to NTIA for approval. On June 9, 2016, NTIA determined that the transition plan meets NTIA's criteria and approved the plan pending the completion of ICANN's implementation.

Since the announcement of NTIA's intent to relinquish authority over IANA, several members of Congress have expressed concerns that relinquishing the U.S.' authority over Internet domain names may grant opportunities for hostile foreign governments or intergovernmental organizations to gain undue influence over the Internet. Recently, the House Committee on Appropriations approved the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. Section 534 of this legislation would prohibit the NTIA from using any appropriated funds to relinquish its authority over the IANA in FY2017.

Should legislation come to the House floor for a full vote, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate having the benefit of your views.

Sincerely,
Steve Pearce
Member of Congress

 

October 7, 2016

Dear [Redacted]:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the transition of control of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). I appreciate hearing your thoughts regarding this important issue.

I am a strong supporter of an open Internet that serves as a platform for free speech, innovation, and economic opportunity. IANA is essentially a phone book for the Internet, and the United States' oversight of it has been largely clerical and symbolic. The United States has planned to step away from this role for two decades. The Administration plans to transfer control of IANA to an organization known as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is a nonprofit organization located in California. It is a "bottom-up, consensus-driven, multi-stakeholder" organization that is comprised of technical experts and representatives from the public and private sectors.

It is critical to note that government censorship of speech occurs entirely without and outside the scope of both IANA and ICANN. Regimes that wish to censor or control particular speech do so within their borders by blocking access to particular Internet platforms, shutting down Internet traffic, erecting firewalls to control the flow of incoming content, and by launching attacks on anti-government websites both within and beyond their borders.

I value your thoughts on this issue and appreciate your interest. As the Senate continues its work, I will keep your views in mind. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,
Harry Reid
United States Senator

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