Dive Brief:
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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has published a proposal to become an independent organization that will no longer under U.S. government oversight.
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Under the proposal, ICANN would become an independent legal entity that would handle functions of the online address system on a contract basis by mid-2016.
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ICANN holds the responsibility of overseeing unique identifiers in Internet addresses to ensure a coordinated Internet across the globe.
Dive Insight:
Some Republican lawmakers reportedly oppose the plan due to concerns that another country could take control. But Alissa Cooper, chair of the group coordinating the transition, said a provision in the plan allows for intervention should the group fail to perform their functions properly.
"Because the proposal roots the accountability responsibility in the various stakeholder communities, that is one of the defenses against capture by any single constituency," Cooper told Reuters.
A proposal is expected to be ready for U.S. government and Congress review by the end of 2015.