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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| US relaxes grip on the internet | US relaxes grip on the internet |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| The US government has relaxed its control over how the internet is run. | The US government has relaxed its control over how the internet is run. |
| It has signed a four-page "affirmation of commitments" with the net regulator Icann, giving the body autonomy for the first time. | It has signed a four-page "affirmation of commitments" with the net regulator Icann, giving the body autonomy for the first time. |
| Previous agreements gave the US close oversight of Icann - drawing criticism from other countries and groups. | Previous agreements gave the US close oversight of Icann - drawing criticism from other countries and groups. |
| The new agreement comes into effect on 1 October, exactly 40 years since the first two computers were connected on the prototype of the net. | The new agreement comes into effect on 1 October, exactly 40 years since the first two computers were connected on the prototype of the net. |
| "It's a beautifully historic day," Rod Beckstrom, Icann's head, told BBC News. | "It's a beautifully historic day," Rod Beckstrom, Icann's head, told BBC News. |
| The European Commission, which has long been critical of Icann's alliance with the US government, welcomed the new deal. | The European Commission, which has long been critical of Icann's alliance with the US government, welcomed the new deal. |
| "Internet users worldwide can now anticipate that Icann's decisions...will be more independent and more accountable, taking into account everyone's interests," said Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for information society and media. | "Internet users worldwide can now anticipate that Icann's decisions...will be more independent and more accountable, taking into account everyone's interests," said Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for information society and media. |
| 'Global system' | 'Global system' |
| The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) is a not-for-profit private sector corporation - set up by the US government - to oversee critical parts of the internet, such as the top-level domain (TLD) name system. Top level domains include .com and .uk. | The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) is a not-for-profit private sector corporation - set up by the US government - to oversee critical parts of the internet, such as the top-level domain (TLD) name system. Top level domains include .com and .uk. |
| Since its inception in 1998, it has periodically signed accords - known collectively as the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) - with the US Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. | Since its inception in 1998, it has periodically signed accords - known collectively as the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) - with the US Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. |
| we endorse this Affirmation and applaud the maturing of Icann's role in the provision of internet stability Eric SchmidtCEO, Google | we endorse this Affirmation and applaud the maturing of Icann's role in the provision of internet stability Eric SchmidtCEO, Google |
| These papers meant that the US government was responsible for reviewing the work of the body. | These papers meant that the US government was responsible for reviewing the work of the body. |
| These have now been abandoned in favour of the new "affirmation of commitments", a brief document which turns the review process over to the global "internet community". | These have now been abandoned in favour of the new "affirmation of commitments", a brief document which turns the review process over to the global "internet community". |
| "Under the JPA, Icann staff would conduct reviews and hand them over to the US government," explained Mr Beckstrom. | "Under the JPA, Icann staff would conduct reviews and hand them over to the US government," explained Mr Beckstrom. |
| "Now we submit those reviews to the world and post them publically for all to comment." | "Now we submit those reviews to the world and post them publically for all to comment." |
| In addition, independent review panels - including representatives of foreign governments - would specifically oversee Icann's work in three specific areas: security, competition and accountability. | In addition, independent review panels - including representatives of foreign governments - would specifically oversee Icann's work in three specific areas: security, competition and accountability. |
| The US will retain a permanent seat on the accountability panel. | The US will retain a permanent seat on the accountability panel. |
| Mr Beckstrom said the decision to break away from the US government in all other areas had been made "over the last year and a half". | Mr Beckstrom said the decision to break away from the US government in all other areas had been made "over the last year and a half". |
| "Stakeholders told us that the JPA should not be renewed and that it wasn't appropriate for it to be renewed," he told BBC News. | "Stakeholders told us that the JPA should not be renewed and that it wasn't appropriate for it to be renewed," he told BBC News. |
| "It is also recognition by the US government that the internet is a global system." | "It is also recognition by the US government that the internet is a global system." |
| The internet began as a research project by the US military, known as Arpanet. | The internet began as a research project by the US military, known as Arpanet. |
| On 1 October 1969, the second computer was connected to the network, said Mr Beckstrom. Ever since, the US has paid close attention to the workings and growth of the net. | |
| "Today's announcement bolsters the long-term viability of the internet as a force for innovation, economic growth, and freedom of expression," said US Assistant Secretary for communications and information Lawrence Strickling. | "Today's announcement bolsters the long-term viability of the internet as a force for innovation, economic growth, and freedom of expression," said US Assistant Secretary for communications and information Lawrence Strickling. |
| "This framework puts the public interest front and centre." | "This framework puts the public interest front and centre." |
| Businesses have also welcomed the change of direction by the US. | Businesses have also welcomed the change of direction by the US. |
| "Google and its users depend every day on a vibrant and expanding internet; we endorse this affirmation and applaud the maturing of Icann's role in the provision of internet stability," said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. | "Google and its users depend every day on a vibrant and expanding internet; we endorse this affirmation and applaud the maturing of Icann's role in the provision of internet stability," said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. |
| However, the new agreement does not totally sever the links between the US government and Icann entirely. | However, the new agreement does not totally sever the links between the US government and Icann entirely. |
| In addition, Icann also has a separate agreement with the US - to run the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) - that expires in 2011. | In addition, Icann also has a separate agreement with the US - to run the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) - that expires in 2011. |
| The IANA oversees the net's addressing system. | The IANA oversees the net's addressing system. |