ICANN Takes Majority Control of DNS

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — Today the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will claim the majority of control over the Internet Domain Name System, aka DNS.

Until today, ICANN had monitored domain name assignments under the oversight of the U.S. government, but that deal has expired. Going forward, ICANN will police the DNS with the help of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

ICANN Vice President Paul Levins said that the buck will stop with ICANN, not Washington.

"We've become an organization accountable solely to the Internet community," he said. "We will have review teams made up of people from all over the globe, not just a government sitting on Pennsylvania Avenue, although they will continue to play a crucial part."

The agreement has received support from one of the Internet’s oldest and most visible progenitors, Vint Cerf, better known as “the father of the Internet.”

"The affirmation of commitments by ICANN and [the Department of Commerce] fulfills a long-standing objective of the original formation of ICANN: to create an organization that can serve the world's interest in a robust, reliable and interoperable Internet," Cerf said.

Nevertheless, the deal may not mark a major shift in policy. Joe Hochstuhl of NDTS consulting told XBIZ that the World Trade Organization has been trying to get more involved in the governance of the Internet, and that this deal is merely a move in that direction while giving other countries more of a voice.

“[Last year,] promises were made to expand on international wants and needs,” he said. “I see this as fulfilling those promises. Note that the [Department of Commerce] is not going to completely wash their hands of it. I don't see this as a major policy shift. We might see more expansion in [top-level domains] as well as expanded support for non-English character sets. But a major shift I’m not seeing.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, the latest edition of Europe’s biggest adult industry conference, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel in Amsterdam.

Sara Jay, Dan Leal to Sponsor XBIZ Amsterdam Kick-Off Event

Sara Jay’s Wyde Syde Productions and Porno Dan Leal’s Market64 will co-sponsor the Bottoms Up Day Drinking kick-off event for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025 at Excalibur Café on Sept. 2, from 2-4 p.m. (CET).

AEBN Publishes Report on DP Trends

AEBN has published a report on DP and extreme penetration categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Free Speech Coalition Appoints Megan Stokes to Board of Directors

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has appointed Megan Stokes to its Board of Directors.

FansRevenue Acquires DivaTraffic

FansRevenue has acquired web traffic service DivaTraffic.

Show More