After complaints about American dominance of the internet and growing disquiet in some parts of the world, Washington has said it will relinquish some control over the way the network is run and allow foreign governments more of a say in the future of the system.
Icann — the official body that ultimately controls the development of the internet thanks to its oversight of web addresses such as .com, .net and .org — said today that it was ending its agreement with the US government.
The deal, part of a contract negotiated with the US department of commerce, effectively pushes California-based Icann towards a new status as an international body with greater representation from companies and governments around the globe.
Icann had previously been operating under the auspices of the American government, which had control of the net thanks to its initial role in developing the underlying technologies used for connecting computers together.
But the fresh focus will give other countries a more prominent role in determining what takes place online, and even the way in which it happens — opening the door for a virtual United Nations, where many officials gather to discuss potential changes to the internet.
Icann chief Rod Beckstrom, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Washington insider who took over running the organisation in July, said there had been legitimate concerns that some countries were developing alternative internets as a way of routing around American control.
"It's rumoured that there are multiple experiments going on with countries forking the internet, various countries have discussed this," he said. "This is a very significant shift because it takes the wind out of our opponents."
#3
ICANN are total fucknuts. They make the UN look like a model of efficiency. I knew an ICANN board member personally once, and he was a total fucknut too. Watch for the internet to balkanize into individual national networks. We are currently in the waning Golden Age of the internet. It will all be over soon.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
11/27/2009 8:34 Comments ||
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#9
No, actually DoD. Moving it out of DoD, while good for funding and management, made this transition to subordination to 'international' authority far easier.
Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world's major religions.
During Hajj, the world's largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life -- including thousands of American Muslims -- will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.
This year, I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooperating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we are implementing my administration's commitment to partnership in areas of mutual interest.
On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season -- Eid Mubarak.
#2
Strange, very strange. No similarity to other presidential holiday messages. None whatsoever. But then again, Barry is like none other. I hope the feckless millions who voted for this fellow are fully congnizant of the outcome of thier actions.
That's the rub in all this. The people who voted for him have no idea why they did except it wasn't Bush and for the time being have no idea what the hell he is up to. But I am beginning to see more and more 1-20-13 bumper stickers.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
11/27/2009 6:03 Comments ||
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#4
Why, it's every bit as touching as his tender remarks on the Jewish High Holidays.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
After complaints about American dominance of the internet and growing disquiet in some parts of the world, Washington has said it will relinquish some control over the way the network is run and allow foreign governments more of a say in the future of the system.
Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world's major religions.
