ICANN’s accountability and transparency mechanisms need to be in place before the IANA transition takes place

[Commentary] Since the inception of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) the US government has always planned to transition oversight of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to a private-sector-led organization that could better adapt to the increasingly global, rapidly changing nature of the Internet. True to this goal, Assistant Secretary Larry Strickling announced in March 2014 that the Department of Commerce would allow its IANA functions contract to expire if an appropriate transition plan was put in place by September 30, 2015. Since 2014’s announcement however, many of us who monitor ICANN have worried about the IANA functions contract being dissolved before the accountability and transparency structure of ICANN has been assured.

Due to the importance of the IANA functions to the core existence of the current Internet infrastructure and the digital global economy, it is critical that the IANA functions remain in capable and accountable hands. Once a suitable accountability structure is in place, ICANN can be given the independence it desires, and oversight can move away from one government and towards the global community. Any transition process should recognize the “backstop” function currently provided by the US government and replace it with a multi-stakeholder accountability function that can ensure ICANN’s stability and legitimacy moving forward. Once this global safety net is established, the IANA functions should be the next big item up for discussion, but not before then.

[Shane Tews is the Chief Policy Officer at 463 Communications]