Sep 30, 2009, 16:20 GMT
San Francisco - The United States on Wednesday agreed to significantly loosen its control of the internet, signing an agreement that gives the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) much greater independence to coordinate the web's address system and ensure its smooth operation.
The accord comes after years of criticism by the European Union, Russia, China, India and others that governance of the worldwide communications network was too important to be left to the US alone. Among other issues they complained about the slow rollout of internet addresses in languages other than English.
The agreement states that the internet body established in 1998 is 'independent and not controlled by any one entity' and commits ICANN to remaining a private, not-for-profit organization. It ends the direct role played by the US government since the internet was developed as an outgrowth of the military communications system Arpanet dating back to the 1960s.
'This new affirmation marks an exciting new stage in ICANN's development as a truly international entity and it confirms once and for all, that the ICANN model of public participation works, and works effectively,' said Rod Beckstrom, ICANN chief executive officer. 'One world, one internet, everyone connected - this is our goal at ICANN. This agreement gives international stakeholders an even more powerful voice in our activities moving forward.'
The EU praised the announcement.
'I welcome the US administration's decision to adapt ICANN's key role in internet governance to the reality of the 21st century and of a globalized world,' information society and media commissioner Viviane Reding said in a statement. 'Internet users worldwide can now anticipate that Icann's decisions on domain names and addresses will be more independent and more accountable, taking into account everyone's interests.'
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