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ICANN moving to independence

ICANN moving to independence

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), jointly run by the US government has managed the Internet since its inception by the Clinton administration in 1998. The goal was to make the web a positive and valuable experience for all users, commercial and consumer alike.

Now however, ICANN is discussing its working partnership with the US with a final decision to be made next year. The original contract in 1998 was for 2 years as a joint venture designed to help oversee the World Wide Web. But amazingly the contract has not been re-negotiated since it expired.

In September a US government white paper was released which arranged in an agreement with ICANN to remove the government from the governance of the web by 2009.

The body has fended off international pressure from developing countries to remain partners with the US who say ICANN is slow and secretive. Further issues have been raised over how much control the US has over the Internet through ICANN. To compound matters further, the chairman Vint Cerf has this week resigned from his post to further pursue his work with Google.

ICANN claims the US governments control of the web is only a "perception", but inevitably the perception will be seen by many as being reality.

The body has done well to remain as true to its not-for-profit roots, even though their budget has increased from $3.78 million in 2001 to over $40 million in 2007 and staff numbers and increased 10 fold.

However a clean break from the US Government appears to be the next step to becoming a true international organisation, working for the benefit of all Internet users away from government influences.

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