[Gnso-epdp-team] Questions for clarification

[Eleeza Agopian]

Dear Janis and EPDP team,

We are sending the below on behalf of Göran.

Thanks,
Eleeza and Dan
ICANN org liaisons

Dear Janis,

Thank you for the questions you shared with me. Given the complexity of some of your questions, I have added some additional context beneath the answers to your questions. We hope the team finds this helpful.

Thank you,
Göran
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If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org will perform the Accreditation Authority function?
If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org will perform the central Gateway function?

Yes, if the Board adopts the EPDP Phase 2 team’s recommendations as consensus policy, ICANN org would implement the functions the Board directs the org to assume. In the cost estimate document<http://mm.icann.org/pipermail/gnso-epdp-team/attachments/20200505/e87c2719/SSADCostEstimateDiscussionPaper-0001.pdf> we recently shared with the EPDP, ICANN org indicated in its assumption that it would outsource these functions to a third party.

If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org enforce compliance of SSAD users and involved parties with its consensus policy?

ICANN is prepared to enforce all consensus policies that are adopted by the ICANN Board. It is important to note that the SSAD recommendations contain requirements for gTLD registries and registrars, which would be enforced through the standard Contractual Compliance process. The SSAD recommendations also include other policies and requirements for other parties, including SSAD requestors. For each of these policies and requirements, the enforcement mechanisms would vary depending on the party.

Additionally, could ICANN Org please confirm the EPDP Team’s assumption that ICANN Org and Contracted Parties are joint controllers regarding disclosure of registration data through the SSAD?

ICANN org acknowledges that this is the EPDP Team’s assumption at this stage. We also note Bird & Bird’s Phase 2 “Liability” memo to the EPDP Team (9 September 2019)<https://community.icann.org/download/attachments/117604842/ICANN-EPDP%20-%20Qs%201%20%26%202%20-%209th%20September%202019%5B2%5D.pdf?version=2&modificationDate=1568143518000&api=v2>, which stated that “the most likely outcome – and certainly most supervisory authorities’ starting position – is that CPs are controllers – and, given ICANN's role in determining purposes and means of processing, that they will be joint controllers with ICANN org in respect of their disclosure of Registration Data to Requesters via a SSAD.” Once the recommendations are finalized by the EPDP Team, approved by the GNSO Council, and adopted by the Board, this issue will be addressed during the implementation process.

To implement the EPDP Team’s recommendations, ICANN org will determine, in consultation with the Implementation Review Team, what data protection arrangements will be required. This will include evaluating what processing of personal data is contemplated by the recommendations, and applying a step-by-step evaluation process to analyze each processing operation contemplated under the EPDP Team’s recommendations. At that stage, we will assess who controls what processing, and with whom, and enter into the necessary arrangements to account for this. This is not a matter of preference or contractual designation by the parties, but must be determined by applying the law to the facts presented for each distinct processing operation. (Ultimately, a data protection authority or a court would have the final say in how controllership provisions apply.) Given that this determination is so fact-specific and the SSAD model is not yet final, it is currently not possible to confirm the EPDP’s assumption of joint controllership in this context.

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Additional context from ICANN org: It’s important to emphasize that ICANN org considers the development of an SSAD to be within ICANN’s remit, as is the enforcement of GNSO consensus policies adopted by the ICANN Board, including policies related to gTLD registration data.  ICANN’s Bylaws<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en/#article1> recognize that ICANN coordinates the development and implementation of policies concerning the registration of second-level domain names in gTLDs. (See ICANN Bylaws, Section 1.1.) This includes policies, as outlined in Annex G-1 and Annex G-2 to the Bylaws, concerning issues for which uniform or coordinated resolution is reasonably necessary to facilitate interoperability, security and/or stability of the internet, registrar services, registry services, or the domain name system. (See ICANN Bylaws, Annex G-1) An example of this would be a policy addressing maintenance of and access to accurate and up-to-date information concerning registered names and name servers. ICANN org believes that implementation and enforcement of a policy for an SSAD would fall within this scope.

The Board has previously recognized the critical nature of this work. The Board anticipated this effort in the Temporary Specification, under Annex: Important Issues for Further Community Action<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gtld-registration-data-specs-en/#annex>, where it notes at 1: “continuing community work to develop an accreditation and access model that complies with GDPR, while recognizing the need to obtain additional guidance from Article 29 Working Party/European Data Protection Board.”  Further, the EPDP’s own charter<https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/file/field-file-attach/temp-spec-gtld-rd-epdp-19jul18-en.pdf>, which was approved by the GNSO Council, clearly indicates that the development of policy recommendations for a System for Standardized Access to Non-Public Registration Data is within the remit of the EPDP.

When considering GNSO consensus policies for adoption, the ICANN Board will consider whether the recommendations themselves fall within the scope of ICANN’s Mission and Bylaws. As noted above, the concept of an SSAD seems to fit within this scope. Any EPDP recommendations approved by a GNSO Supermajority Vote shall be adopted by the Board unless, by a vote of more than two-thirds of the Board, the Board determines that such policy is not in the best interests of the ICANN community or ICANN. (See ICANN Bylaws, Annex A-1, Section 6). If the recommendation was approved by less than a GNSO Supermajority Vote, the majority vote of the Board would be sufficient to determine that such policy is not in the best interests of the ICANN community or ICANN.  Any non-approval by the Board would trigger a consultation between the GNSO Council and the Board, which occurred with respect to a subset of the EPDP Phase 1 Team’s recommendations. The ICANN org and Board liaisons have endeavored during this EPDP to provide the team members with implementation-related and other guidance as the team has deliberated recommendations.


From: Gnso-epdp-team <gnso-epdp-team-bounces at icann.org> on behalf of Janis Karklins <karklinsj at gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 11:22 AM
To: Goran Marby <goran.marby at icann.org>, EPDP <gnso-epdp-team at icann.org>
Cc: "gnso-epdp-lead at icann.org" <gnso-epdp-lead at icann.org>
Subject: [Gnso-epdp-team] Questions for clarification

Dear Goran,

During recent meetings the EPDP Team has been examining public comments received on its Initial Report. Recommendations in the Initial Report are based on certain assumptions. For instance, the EPDP Team has been working under the assumption that ICANN Org (or its designee) would be the Accreditation Authority, and, accordingly, would be responsible for enforcing accredited SSAD users’ compliance with the Accreditation Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, etc. In addition, it is assumed that ICANN Org would perform the Central Gateway function.

Today’s discussion revealed that the Team’s assumptions may not be entirely correct. It was suggested that ICANN Org may have concerns regarding, for example, how this enforcement responsibility fits within its Mission and Bylaws as it is not yet clear how the contractual relationships would be structured between the Central Gateway Manager and accredited users, noting ICANN Org enforcement currently only occurs between ICANN Org and Contracted Parties where a direct contractual relationship exists.

It was also suggested that communication with ICANN Org would be useful to confirm all assumptions the Final report will be based on. In light of this, could ICANN Org please provide clarifications on the following questions:
If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org will perform the Accreditation Authority function?
If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org will perform the central Gateway function?
If SSAD becomes an adopted consensus policy, would ICANN Org enforces compliance of SSAD users and involved parties with its consensus policy?

Additionally, could ICANN Org please confirm the EPDP Team’s assumption that ICANN Org and Contracted Parties are joint controllers regarding disclosure of registration data through the SSAD?

As the EPDP Team needs further information to prepare its final recommendations, we would appreciate answers, if possible, by Friday, May 29. Thank you in advance.

Best regards
JK
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