Session 2: ICANN Accountability and the Transition of IANA Stewardship This session will examine the work that is currently being done to make ICANN more accountable to its stakeholders and to transition the IANA function stewardship away from the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) and why these issues matter to everyone. The session will start with a description of the structure and functions performed by ICANN, including the IANA function. The role of ICANN in the Internet multi-stakeholder governance model will be discussed, and the involvement of governments in Internet governance will be addressed. This background will then be used as the launching point for a discussion of how the evolution of ICANN and the transition of the IANA function can affect the openness, security, stability and resiliency of the Internet.

1. Internet Society Canada
Chapter: First Canadian Internet
Symposium
ICANN Accountability and the
Transition of IANA Stewardship
Alan Greenberg
24 September 2015

2. About me
•
Nearly 50 years, experience in computer and
data communications technologies
•
20 years involvement with ISOC
•
ISOC Board of Trustees (2001-2004)
•
Supported use of technologies in developing
countries
•
Involved in ICANN, At-Large Advisory
Committee (ALAC) since 2006
•
ALAC Chair
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 2

3. The Essence of
Multistakeholderism
•
Stakeholders come from all parts of the
Internet community
•
They have different perspectives
•
Many are passionate about beliefs
•
Some have long memories and “axes to grind”
•
Some have territory to defend
•
Many have large financial investments
involved and therefore a strong interest in
certain outcomes
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 3

4. CWG-IANA Transition
•
Cross-Community Working Group, including
stakeholders outside of ICANN
– Members + Participants
•
Responsible to developing transition plan for
the DNS stewardship on behalf of the Names
Community
•
Difficult process for all the reasons mentioned
•
Resulting proposal submitted to the ICG is
reasonable24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 4

5. CCWG-Accountability
•
Cross-Community Working Group of ICANN
stakeholders, but includes many Participants
external to ICANN
•
Charged with ensuring that ICANN is
accountable to the community (without fully
defining accountability or community).
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 5

6. Current ICANN Structure
Very simplified…
•
Support Organization (SOs) responsible for
recommending policy for gTLDs, ccTLDs,
Addressing
•
Advisory Committees responsible for advising
on issues that cross policy areas
(Governmental, At-Large, Security and
Stability, Root-Server System)
•
Board, selected by SOs, ALAC and Nominating24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 6

7. So, What is the Problem?
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 7

8. Before Appointment to ICANN
Board
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 8

9. After Appointment to ICANN Board
24 August 2015 9ISCC First Symposium - Alan

10. Issues (Personal Perspective)
•
Board not trusted
– Despite being selected BY the ICANN community,
once selected, they can no longer be trusted.
•
Perceived as being more concerned with
corporation than stakeholders
•
Some merit to concerns
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 10

11. Proposed Solution
•
Transform ICANN into a Membership
Organization
•
Sole Member are the SOs and ACs – or some
subset of them.
– Various weightings being considered
•
Strengthened Mission and Core Values
•
Strengthened Independent Review Panel
•
Strengthened Board Reconsideration Process
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 11

12. Member Powers
•
Reconsider/Veto Budget and Strategic Plan
•
Reconsider/Veto Bylaw changes
•
Approve “Fundamental Bylaws”
•
Remove individual Directors
•
Recall the entire Board
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 12

13. At-Large Concerns
•
Complexity – many very significant changes
•
Possible lack of participation by SO/ACs
– Potential for capture
•
Budget veto problematic
•
Mission and Core Values seem to remove some
aspects of “public Interest”
We need better accountability and direct input24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 13

14. Thank you.
24 August 2015 ISCC First Symposium - Alan 14