ICANNi

ICANNi is a hypothetical international organization proposed to oversee the management of global internet identifiers and related policy areas. It is envisioned as a reform or potential successor to some functions presently performed by ICANN, within a broader multi-stakeholder governance framework.

Origin and purpose: The concept arose in policy discussions about internet governance reform, aiming to address concerns about legitimacy, transparency, and accountability in centralized technical authorities. Proponents describe ICANNi as extending inclusive participation to governments, the private sector, the technical community, civil society, and academia.

Scope and functions: ICANNi would potentially oversee the allocation of numeric resources, coordinate DNS root zone management, oversee the policy development process for identifiers, and facilitate international coordination on interoperability and security standards. It could operate in coordination with regional Internet registries and national regulatory bodies.

Structure and governance: The organization would feature a multi-stakeholder board with seats reserved for diverse constituencies, an independent accountability mechanism, and a transparent funding model supported by member contributions and working reserves.

Policy process and accountability: ICANNi would employ a formal policy development process with public comment periods, consensus-based decision making, and regular external reviews to assess performance and legitimacy.

Relation to ICANN: ICANNi is not an existing institution; it appears in reform proposals as either a successor, an overlapped authority, or a transitional body intended to reform ICANN's mandate and governance. Real-world adoption would require international agreements and transitional arrangements.

Reception: Supporters argue that ICANNi could enhance legitimacy and global representation, while critics worry about fragmentation, complexity, and potential jurisdictional conflicts.

See also: ICANN; Internet governance; Domain name system; IANA.