The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on Wednesday on the Obama administration’s proposal to shift oversight of the domain names system to a multi-stakeholder model.
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration recently instructed the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to explore ways to remove the United States from its oversight role to make way for a multi-stakeholder model.
Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) authored the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act, which would direct the Government Accountability Office to review the proposed changes before the NTIA is granted permission to modify the current domain name system.
“We must do all we can to keep the Internet free from the control of those who wish to use it for less than noble means, keeping it out of the hands of nations like China, Iran or Russia who have demonstrated hostility toward the free flowing, unfettered exchange of information,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said. “While I do not oppose a vigorous discussion of whether and how we could transition the domain name system of out the Commerce Department’s purview, we are a long way from seeing a proposal that I could support. Something as important as the future of the Internet demands a thoughtful and deliberate process, and I join my colleagues in supporting the DOTCOM Act.”
Members of the subcommittee expressed concern that changes could leave the Internet vulnerable to international power grabs and sought commitment from the administration that it would not allow outcomes that don’t protect Internet freedom and openness.
“I cannot overstate the importance of freedom of the Internet from government control,” House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said. “Nor can I overstate the threat from foreign governments who seek to control, tax, censor and otherwise impose their own agendas on the Internet. We cannot allow institutions such as the United Nations or the International Telecommunication Union to insert themselves into the functioning of the domain name system.”
Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence Strickling said earlier this month that the time is right to start the transition.
“We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan,” Strickling said.