US relaxes grip on the internet

[Duer 157099]

Source: BBC News

The US government has relaxed its control over how the internet is run.

It has signed a four-page "affirmation of commitments" with the net regulator Icann, giving the body autonomy for the first time.

Previous agreements gave the US close oversight of Icann - drawing criticism from other countries and groups.

The new agreement comes into effect on 1 October, exactly 40 years since the first two computers were connected on the prototype of the net.

Read more: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8283310.stm?ad=1

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Happy 40th Birthday Internet!! (tomorrow)

[winyanstaz]

1. Well that is some good news indeed :)

Happy Birthday www :)

[timeforpeace]

2. Why? Another solution without a problem?

[Tempest]

3. To the uninformed, perhaps

But to those of us who have to deal with ICANN, it means a lot.


Here's a better explanation why this is important.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/172896/icann_freed_from_us_govt_oversight.html

[frog92969]

4. Thread with link to another article:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6665056

[Thickasabrick]

5. US relinquishes control of the internet

Source: The Guardian UK

After complaints about American dominance of the internet and growing disquiet in some parts of the world, Washington has said it will relinquish some control over the way the network is run and allow foreign governments more of a say in the future of the system.

Icann – the official body that ultimately controls the development of the internet thanks to its oversight of web addresses such as .com, .net and .org – said today that it was ending its agreement with the US government.

The deal, part of a contract negotiated with the US department of commerce, effectively pushes California-based Icann towards a new status as an international body with greater representation from companies and governments around the globe.

Icann had previously been operating under the auspices of the American government, which had control of the net thanks to its initial role in developing the underlying technologies used for connecting computers together.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/30/icann-agreement-us

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Oh, so they complained.

Now I see why it was so important to give it up.

[boppers]

7. Network-wide censorship, here we come!

Ugh.