Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said on Tuesday they would conduct “aggressive oversight” as the Department of Commerce takes steps to transition its role in Internet governance.
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced on Friday its intention to transition key Internet domain functions to the global multi-stakeholder community. The NTIA called on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to engage global stakeholders to draft a proposal that would allow the NTIA to transition from its role in coordinating the Internet’s domain name system.
“The timing is right to start the transition process,” Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence Strickling said. “We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan.”
Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Walden, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, said steps must be taken to ensure the Internet maintains its openness and freedom.
“The Internet has thrived across the globe under the existing multi-stakeholder effort and should serve as a guide for the future,” Upton and Walden said. “We welcome a thoughtful discussion amongst Internet stakeholders on the Department of Commerce’s role in the DNS. But changes to the current model should be approached with a cautious and careful eye. The Energy and Commerce Committee has been at the forefront of the effort to preserve Internet openness and freedom. We will continue to conduct robust oversight to ensure that before any changes are considered we safeguard that no government or intergovernmental body takes over critical DNS functions….”
The Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the matter in April.