This summer, Congress must make sure the Internet stays free

[Commentary] By Sept 30, 2016, the Obama Administration plans to transition its stewardship over core Internet functions to the international community. The transition plan presented to the US Department of Commerce was finalized by the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which sets broad policy for the Internet's naming system, and coordinates many of its most essential functions. The plan raises troubling questions that must be answered before it is approved by the US government. At stake are the stability and freedom of the Internet, which serves as a personal and commercial lifeline not only to Americans, but also to a majority of people across the globe. That the Internet today is decentralized, open and free of government interference is thanks to the American government's adoption, during the Clinton years, of a multi-stakeholder model of governance. Since early days, it was agreed that the overseers of the Internet would be private and governmental groups working together under ICANN's umbrella.

Moving forward, ultimate control of the IANA function must never pass to an international organization controlled by governments, whether the United Nations, the International Telecommunications Union, or ICANN recast with governments in control. Congress must ensure that the US remains in a position to protect the stability and freedom of the Internet. That means making sure that any institution taking over the stewardship of the Internet's core functions should be structured to keep the Internet decentralized, open and free.

[Daniels is the former Chairman and CEO of Network Solutions, Inc., where he monitored firsthand the administration of the IANA function and the allocation of domain names.]