[CCWG-Accountability] Related work on ICANN's Public Interest

Tue Dec 16 20:12:24 UTC 2014

Dear Steve,

Thanks for starting this discussion.

Beyond the definition of public interest (differing views were expressed 
this was a purpose of our group, or even an achievable or desirable 
goal), your comment raises a question regarding for what Icann should be 
accountable to (the "purpose" of accountability).

Following your lines, we could assume that Icann might be accountable to 
achieve:
- availability of registrations and resolutions of the DNS (would that 
be totally ? or for the components it operates ?)
- Integrity of the DNS (same question ?)

This might be put into relation with the scope of Icann's mission to be 
refined.

In contrast (or in addition) Carl Schonander proposal to mention respect 
for international and national law would turn into Icann being 
accountable to compliance with international and national law. (and 
would raise the question: which national law ?)

Best
Mathieu

Le 16/12/2014 13:34, Steve DelBianco a écrit :
> As mentioned on today's call, here is a proposed definition for global 
> public interest in the context of ICANN:
>
> The 'public' part of public interest is concerned more with users and 
> registrants than with contracted parties and others who are deeply 
> involved at ICANN.
> And the public interest in ICANN decisions is broader than just a 
> secure and stable DNS. Namely, users and registrants want ICANN to 
> make sure the DNS delivers two essential and measurable qualities: 
> *Availability* and *Integrity, *of *Registrations and Resolutions*
>
>     *Availability *of the DNS is critical for global users who
>     increasingly rely on the Internet for information, communications,
>     and commerce. Domain name resolutions need to be available 24
>     hours a day, 365 days a year, from anywhere on the globe.
>     Availability also means being able to use any language and any
>     script for both generic and country-code domains and email addresses.
>
>     Availability can also apply to domain names sought by registrants:
>     will domains in new gTLDs be available to the public, or will they
>     be captured by insiders? That kind of availability should also be
>     part of the public interest test for ICANN decisions.
>
>     *Integrity* of the DNS is vital to registrants and end-users of
>     the Internet. Registrants rely upon the integrity of domain name
>     registration to ensure that their identities are not
>     misrepresented or misappropriated.  E-commerce and Internet
>     financial transactions absolutely require integrity in resolution
>     of domain names and secure delivery of encrypted data.
>
>     Internet users depend upon the integrity of domain name services
>     to provide accurate and authentic results when they look up a
>     website or send an email. Integrity is undermined by deceptive
>     practices such as redirecting users to fraudulent websites or
>     providing false information about the true owner of a web domain.
>
> I encourage further discussion on the concept of global public 
> interest in our CCWG. This term is too important to leave undefined or 
> let a few individuals define it to fit their own agenda.   If we allow 
> 'public interest' to mean anything and everything, it will end up 
> meaning nothing at all.
>
> ---
> Steve DelBianco
> Executive Director
> NetChoice
> http://www.NetChoice.org <http://www.netchoice.org/> and 
> http://blog.netchoice.org <http://blog.netchoice.org/>
> +1.202.420.7482
>
>
>
> On 12/16/14, 11:48 AM, "Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin at melbourneit.com.au 
> <mailto:Bruce.Tonkin at melbourneit.com.au>> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> The origin of the strategic work on public interest comes from the 
> strategy panel on Public Responsibility Framework.
>
> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/prf-report-15may14-en.pdf
>
> That panel recommended the following definition:
>
> "Panel Definitions Submitted to ICANN:
>
> As an independent, global organization, ICANN is one of the 
> organizations charged
> with responsibility for an increasingly important shared global 
> resource: The Internet.
> As one of the stewards of this resource, ICANN recognizes it has a 
> responsibility to
> protect and promote the global public interest, both throughout its 
> work, and in
> collaboration with other entities. ICANN's public responsibility 
> permeates all areas of
> its work and is at the core of its operations.
>
> ICANN defines the global public interest in relation to the Internet 
> as ensuring the
> Internet becomes, and continues to be, stable, inclusive, and 
> accessible across the
> globe so that all may enjoy the benefits of a single and open 
> Internet. In addressing its
> public responsibility, ICANN must build trust in the Internet and its 
> governance
> ecosystem."
>
> This definition though has not been formally adopted.
>
> Regards,
> Bruce Tonkin
>
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-- 
*****************************
Mathieu WEILL
AFNIC - directeur général
Tél: +33 1 39 30 83 06
mathieu.weill at afnic.fr
Twitter : @mathieuweill
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