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EU renews call for less US influence on Icann
2014-02-12 16:30:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) The European Commission has launched a new call for improved global governance of the internet, reducing the US government's influence on Icann, the main body for controlling web domain names. The EC said the recent revelations of wide-scale surveillance of international communications by the US National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies makes it all the more urgent to ensure "transparent, accountable and inclusive governance" of the internet. The EU made a similar call in 2011 the last time Icann's agreement with the US Department of Commerce came up for renewal. Its latest statement comes as Icann's High-Level Panel on global governance meets this month to discuss proposals for widening the stakeholders involved in managing the internet. The EU backs a multistakeholder approach, under which a rotating group of non-governmental organizations, countries, academics and private sector representatives manage Icann's policies and activities. This would be supported by a commitment to improve the transparency, accountability and inclusiveness of Icann's operations and a set of principles underlining the need to maintain the "open and unfragmented" nature of the internet. After its meeting later this month, Icann's High-Level Panel will release a report for public consideration. At its next meeting in Dubai in May it will consider the feedback and publish a final report with recommendations.
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Category:Telecommunications