ICANN
ICANN, which stands for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is an American non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring its stable and secure operation. Here is detailed information about ICANN:
History
- ICANN was created in 1998 following the U.S. government's decision to transition the management of DNS from government to private sector. This was in response to the increasing complexity and global nature of the Internet.
- The organization was formed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Department of Commerce (DoC) and ICANN, which was signed on November 25, 1998.
- Before ICANN, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), operated by the University of Southern California, managed these responsibilities.
Functions and Responsibilities
- Domain Name System (DNS): ICANN oversees the global coordination of the DNS, which translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses.
- IP Address Allocation: It ensures the allocation of IP address blocks through regional Internet registries.
- Protocol Parameter Assignment: ICANN manages parameters for Internet protocols to ensure they work seamlessly across the network.
- Root Server System: It coordinates the operation and evolution of the root server system of the DNS.
Structure
- ICANN operates under a multi-stakeholder model involving various communities including governments, private sector, civil society, and technical communities.
- The organization has a Board of Directors, which includes representatives from different stakeholder groups and regions.
- Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs) provide input on policy issues. These include:
- Address Supporting Organization (ASO)
- Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO)
- Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO)
- Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC)
- Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC)
Controversies and Challenges
- ICANN has faced criticism over issues like domain name disputes, the role of governments in Internet governance, and the privatization of domain name registration.
- The transition of IANA functions from U.S. government oversight to a global community in 2016 was a significant and contentious event.
- The organization has also been involved in discussions about Internet censorship, privacy, and the expansion of the domain name system.
Recent Developments
- In 2016, ICANN completed the transition of IANA stewardship from the U.S. government to the global multistakeholder community, marking a significant shift in Internet governance.
- There are ongoing efforts to introduce new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and manage the .brand TLDs.
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