ICANN and Verisign recently released a proposed renewal of the Registry Agreement for .NET that allows any government worldwide to control applicable domain names.
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The proposal is found in an Appendix of the agreement, specifically in Section 2.7 of Appendix 8 on pages 147-148. The new text in 2.7(b)(ii)(5) allows Verisign to deny, cancel, redirect or transfer any registration or transaction under the pretext of ensuring compliance with applicable law, government rules or regulations, or pursuant to any legal order or subpoena of any government, administrative or governmental authority, or court of competent jurisdiction.
This proposal could give "any government", "any administrative authority", and "any government authority" in any jurisdiction in the world the power to control domain names. The new language inserted is dangerous and arguably the most dangerous language ever inserted into an ICANN agreement.
ICANN and Verisign's proposal has triggered concerns about potential global censorship due to a few key reasons. Firstly, Verisign's control over the .com top-level domain, which is the most popular domain extension, gives them significant influence over what websites are accessible to users. This concentration of power raises worries that Verisign could abuse this authority by censoring or blocking certain websites based on political, economic, or other reasons.
Secondly, the proposed price increases for .com domain names could have a detrimental effect on internet access. Higher costs may discourage individuals and organizations, especially those with limited financial resources, from registering or renewing their domain names. This can limit their ability to have an online presence and effectively communicate their ideas or conduct business on the internet.
Critics argue that the price hikes would disproportionately impact smaller domain registrars and might result in decreased competition. This concentration of control could lead to a less diverse and innovative domain name industry, where a few major players hold significant sway over the market.
ICANN is a global organization that oversees the management of domain names and IP addresses on the Internet. Its primary role is to maintain the security, stability, and resilience of the DNS (Domain Name System). ICANN operates under a multi-stakeholder model, meaning that it seeks input and collaboration from various parties, including governments, businesses, technical experts, and civil society, to make decisions.
Verisign, on the other hand, is a private company that operates the .com and .net top-level domains under contract from ICANN. Verisign has exclusive rights to manage these domains and collects fees from registrants for domain name registrations and renewals.
The proposal in question is the "Registry Agreement" between ICANN and Verisign, which allows Verisign to increase the wholesale prices of .com domain names by up to 7% annually for the next ten years. This has raised concerns about the potential for increased costs and its impact on internet accessibility and competition.
Critics argue that such price increases could limit access to the internet, particularly for individuals, organizations, and businesses with limited resources. They also express concerns about the concentration of control in the hands of a few major players, potentially leading to censorship or restricted access to domain names.
Proponents of the agreement argue that the price increases are necessary to fund investments in infrastructure and cybersecurity measures to ensure the security and stability of the .com domain. They claim that the proposed price hikes are in line with market conditions and would not hinder competition in the domain name industry.
At this stage, ICANN is reviewing the proposed agreement, taking into account the feedback and concerns raised by various stakeholders. The final decision rests with ICANN, and they have the power to accept, reject, or modify the terms put forth by Verisign based on their evaluation of the potential impact on internet users and the overall stability and security of the DNS.