House approves measure that would prevent transition of Internet oversight
The House of Representatives recently approved an appropriations bill with an amendment introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) that would prevent funds from being used to turn over U.S. oversight of critical Internet functions.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently instructed the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to explore ways to begin considering options to remove the United States from its domain names system (DNS) oversight role.
Duffy’s amendment would cut off funds that support the NTIA plan to replace U.S. oversight of the DNS with a global multi-stakeholder model.
“We should not give up this stewardship and allow the United Nations or countries like China, Iran or Russia, that do not hold free speech in the same regard, the opportunity to take control,” Duffy said. “If the U.S. turns over this responsibility to the international community, there is no turning back.”
Duffy introduced the Global Internet Freedom Act in April. The bill would prohibit the assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information from relinquishing NTIA’s responsibilities to coordinate the assignment of technical Internet protocol parameters and administrative functions associated with the DNS.
“As Americans, we value our Constitutional right of freedom of speech and have promoted this value throughout the world,” Duffy said. “The U.S. is best positioned to maintain and protect a free and open Internet through its stewardship of these critical functions, as it has done for decades.