United States to continue control over Internet DNS

United States to continue control over Internet DNS

United States Government has announced plans to continue their control over the top-level domain and addressing system (DNS) of the Internet. This decision nullifies their earlier plans to give up its control over the Internet’s master indexes and root directory. Unlike many other domain extensions, they continue to keep a control over 250 top-level domains, such as .com and .net through the U.S. Commerce Department.

Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael Gallagher said in a statement at a wireless conference in Washington that they plans to retain that veto authority despite earlier pledges to divest itself of involvement in Internet governance, eventually ceding control to the ICANN. The latest principles on the Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Web site says: “The United States is committed to taking no action that would have the potential to adversely impact the effective and efficient operation of the DNS.”

NTIA also said: “As such, the United States is committed to working with the international community to address these concerns, bearing in mind the fundamental need to ensure stability and security of the Internet’s DNS. The United States continues to support the ongoing work of ICANN as the technical manager of the DNS and related technical operations and recognizes the progress it has made to date. The United States will continue to provide oversight so that ICANN maintains its focus and meets its core technical mission.”