Internet governance resists government control

Subject

ICANN governance.

Significance

As website branding has become more competitive and domain names more valuable, the Domain Name System (DNS) and the organisation responsible for overseeing the DNS infrastructure, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), face increased scrutiny. Until 2016, the US retained stewardship over ICANN. Given the DNS’s importance as a core internet technology, this has provoked unease from countries including China and Russia, triggering institutional reform.

Impacts

• ICANN will re-evaluate its policies on data collection for WHOIS service in Europe or face fines for falling foul of GDPR.
• The US government is highly unlikely to take down Russian servers.
• China is unlikely for the time being to challenge the internet governance status quo.