Page History

Joanna Kulesza is currently serving as the ALAC Liaison the GAC. She was selected by the ALAC in October 2021 and took on the role on Thursday, 28 October 2021 at the end of the ICANN72 AGM. Yrjö Länsipuro previously served in this role since 2016 when the ALAC unanimously voted to appoint him as the first ALAC Liaison to the GAC.

Intersessional Progress Report: ICANN81 Plenary Session Proposal: Overview and Key Details [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2024/07/23

The following session was proposed and met with GAC leadership support. It is designed to address critical issues concerning the impact of geopolitical factors on the multistakeholder model of internet governance and explore the implications of new internet infrastructures.

Session Title: Shifting Paradigms: Multistakeholderism, Geopolitics, International Law, and New Internet Infrastructures

Duration: 90 minutes

Session Type: Whole Community Session (Joint ALAC/GAC Session)

Purpose and Focus:

This plenary session at ICANN81 aims to offer a look  into how geopolitical dynamics are reshaping the multistakeholder model and influencing the governance of emerging internet infrastructures. The discussion will also address the evolving regulatory frameworks relevant to these new technologies.

Key Discussion Topics:

1. Geopolitics and Multistakeholderism: The session will explore the impact of geopolitical tensions on global internet governance and infrastructure.
2. New Internet Infrastructures: Topics will include advancements such as outer space internet and interplanetary communication, and their implications for policy and governance.
3. Regulatory Frameworks: The session will analyze how existing regulations like the 2024 U.S. International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy, GDPR, the AI Act, and NIS2 address the challenges posed by new internet technologies.

Confirmed Participants:

- Jorge Cancio, Deputy Head of the International Relations Team at OFCOM and GAC Switzerland representative, has confirmed his participation, bringing valuable insights into the geopolitical aspects of internet governance.

- GAC Leadership has expressed strong support for this session, aligning it with the committee’s strategic priorities and current concerns.

Session Structure:

1. Introduction by Moderator (5 minutes): Overview of objectives and introduction of speakers.
2. Speaker Presentations (10 minutes each): Contributions from Vint Cerf, Leon Sanchez, Susan Chalmers, Berna Akçalı Gür, and John Crain.
3. Discussion Segment (20 minutes): Open dialogue on questions regarding the evolution of the multistakeholder model, governance challenges, and regulatory frameworks.
4. Conclusion (5 minutes): Summary of key points and final remarks.

Expected Outcomes:

- A detailed understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to new internet infrastructures.

- Insights into how existing regulatory frameworks can adapt to emerging technologies.

- Enhanced dialogue among stakeholders on the future of multistakeholder internet governance.

Target Audience:

The session is targeted at end users, policymakers, regulators, technologists, and legal experts, focusing on the impact of infrastructure governance on the broader internet community.

This session is anticipated to provide critical perspectives and facilitate significant discussions on evolving internet governance issues.

Updates to the session agenda and format can be found here: Shifting Paradigms: Multistakeholderism, Geopolitics, International Law, and New Internet Infrastructures

GAC Liaison Report from ICANN80 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2024/07/23

The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) convened in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 10 to 13, 2024, for the ICANN80 Policy Forum. The Kigali Communiqué, drafted during this meeting, was shared with GAC Members and Observers for review, with no objections raised prior to publication. Its full text can be found here: https://gac.icann.org/contentMigrated/icann80-kigali-communique?language_id=1

Meeting Highlights:

1. High-Level Government Meeting:

   - Held on June 9, 2024, the GAC expressed gratitude to Rwanda for hosting the meeting, which was attended by 81 delegations, including intergovernmental organizations. The session focused on the multi-stakeholder model, cooperation between policymakers and the technical community, and efforts to enhance digital inclusion and connectivity.

1. Inter-Constituency Engagement:

   - The GAC engaged in discussions with various ICANN bodies, including the ICANN Board, ALAC, and GNSO, covering topics such as new gTLDs, DNS resiliency, and public interest commitments. These discussions also addressed cross-community sessions on Internet governance and regional challenges.

1. Internal Matters:

   - New GAC members from Liechtenstein were welcomed, and preparations for GAC elections for Chair and Vice-Chairs were outlined. The GAC also acknowledged leadership changes within its working groups and discussed their ongoing efforts in areas like DNS abuse and capacity development.

1. Key Issues and Future Work:

   - The GAC highlighted the importance of transparency in GNSO Statements of Interest, raised concerns about content restriction in new gTLDs, and emphasized the need for clear guidance on Registry Voluntary Commitments. Additionally, the GAC stressed the need for improved mechanisms to address DNS abuse and support for DNSSEC adoption. The committee also called for enhanced efforts to promote the Registration Data Request Service and accurate domain registration data.

GAC Advice

The Governmental Advisory Committee issued several consensus advices to the ICANN Board, addressing two primary issues: the Applicant Support Program (ASP) and the resolution of contention sets in new gTLDs.

1. Applicant Support Program (ASP):

   - The GAC advises that final decisions on ASP applications should be made at the end of the twelve-month application period to avoid disadvantaging later applicants, particularly those from underserved regions.

   - It recommends involving community experts in the evaluation process and initiating a dialogue with the GNSO and ALAC to explore potential platforms for new gTLDs supported by ASP to operate their own back-end services.

   - Additionally, the GAC seeks a detailed report on the ASP’s Engagement and Outreach Plan, including specific timelines and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

1. Resolution of Contention Sets:

   - The GAC advises prohibiting private auctions for resolving contention sets in the next round of new gTLDs and urges the Board to start a focused community discussion to find alternatives before proceeding with any potentially inconsistent actions with previous advice.

The GAC also follows up on earlier advice regarding ASP communications and outreach strategies, requesting detailed plans and budgetary information by mid-Q3 2024, and emphasizes the need for prompt action on urgent requests for domain registration data to address public safety concerns. The next GAC meeting is scheduled for ICANN81 in November 2024.

The GAC Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, endorsed on June 17, 2024, outlines key objectives to enhance its role and impact within ICANN. The GAC’s mission is to provide public policy advice on Internet stability, security, and global interconnectedness, ensuring ICANN Board accountability. Its vision is to maintain the Internet’s unique identifier systems as a reliable foundation for the global digital ecosystem. The GAC upholds values of transparency, multistakeholder governance, global policy consideration, stability, security, and respect for human rights and international law.

The strategic objectives are:

1. Role for Governments in ICANN: Reinforce the role of governments within ICANN’s multistakeholder model and evaluate if existing structures adequately support GAC’s policy development and influence.
2. Effectiveness of the GAC: Enhance participation and effectiveness of GAC members in ICANN processes and ensure their views are well-represented.
3. Future Rounds of New gTLDs: Ensure future gTLD rounds promote competition, address the digital divide, include necessary safeguards, and allow GAC to address global public interest issues.
4. DNS Abuse: Proactively address DNS abuse, promote security and stability, and collaborate on best practices for mitigating phishing, malware, and spam.
5. Domain Registration Data: Support accurate and accessible domain registration data while respecting privacy frameworks.
6. Universal Acceptance: Promote a multilingual Internet and ensure domain names and email addresses are universally accessible.
7. Impact of New Technology: Understand and address challenges posed by new technologies on unique identifier systems.
8. Internet Governance: Keep stakeholders informed of Internet governance developments and contribute to global processes.
9. Internet Number Resources: Update and coordinate on policies related to Internet number resources.

Issues of Interest to the At-Large Community

1. Applicant Support Program (ASP)

   - Timing and Evaluation: The GAC advises that decisions on ASP applications should be made at the end of the twelve-month application period rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. This approach is aimed at ensuring that underserved regions, which may take longer to prepare their applications, are not disadvantaged.

   - Community Involvement: The GAC recommends inviting community members with relevant expertise to participate in the ASP application evaluation process, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and expert oversight.

   - Platform Development: The GAC suggests exploring the feasibility of leveraging or contracting a platform for new gTLDs supported through the ASP to operate their own back-end services, involving a facilitated dialogue with GNSO and ALAC representatives.

   - Engagement and Outreach: The GAC emphasizes the need for a detailed report on the ASP's Engagement and Outreach Plan, including a campaign launch and stakeholder consultations by June 2024.

1. DNS Abuse

   - Mitigation and Prevention: The GAC is focused on reducing DNS abuse, such as phishing and malware, by promoting security and resilience in the DNS. This involves supporting best practices and concrete measures for abuse prevention and offering capacity-building workshops for GAC members.

1. Domain Registration Data

   - Accuracy and Accessibility: The GAC is concerned with maintaining the accessibility and accuracy of domain registration data while complying with privacy regulations. It advocates for clear and meaningful data access to enhance transparency and accountability in domain registration processes.

1. Universal Acceptance

   - Multilingual Internet: The GAC supports efforts to ensure that all domain names and email addresses, including new Top-Level Domains and Internationalized Domain Names, are universally accepted and function across all Internet-enabled applications and systems.

1. Internet Governance

   - Global Processes: The GAC will ensure that governments and ICANN stakeholders stay informed about global Internet governance developments affecting the Internet’s unique identifier systems and may contribute to global governance processes.

Intersessional Progress Report: Collaboration and Joint Task Updates for ALAC and GAC [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2024/04/24

This is a report on the bilateral engagement between the GAC and the ALAC in the intersessional period between ICANN79 and ICANN80, emphasizing the significant focus on developing the joint communication regarding the Applicant Support Program, following the ALAC-GAC meeting at the ICANN79 Community Forum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The current draft communication includes the following items:
1. Background and Context: The joint communication aims to consolidate the input and perspectives of both ALAC and GAC on the ASP, reflecting the discussions and agreements reached during our bilateral meeting at ICANN79.
2. Content Development: Since our meeting in San Juan, the working group composed of representatives from both ALAC and GAC has diligently worked on drafting the joint communication. They have incorporated key points and recommendations outlined in the draft statement you provided, which articulates our collective stance on the ASP. The drafting work is being excellently spearheaded by Justine Chew, ALAC VC, on behalf of the At-Large Community.
3. Alignment with Community Feedback: The content of the joint communication has been informed by various sources, including recent GAC communiques, public comments, and contributions from working group members. We have strived to ensure that the communication accurately reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of the ICANN community.
4. Key Themes and Recommendations: The joint communication emphasizes several core principles and recommendations, including:
   - Alleviating the financial burden on ASP applicants to the maximum extent possible.
   - Prioritizing outreach to applicants from underserved regions.
   - Applying a holistic approach to support ASP applicants throughout the application lifecycle.
   - Supporting the longer-term success of ASP-qualified applicants beyond the application phase.
5. Incorporating ALAC and GAC Feedback: The draft communication has undergone iterative review and revision by both ALAC and GAC representatives to ensure consensus and coherence. Feedback provided by working group members has been carefully considered and integrated into the final draft.
6. Annexes and Supporting Documentation: The joint communication will be supplemented by annexes, including the ICANN79 GAC Communique and the ALAC Proposal on the implementation of Subsequent Procedures Recommendation 17.2. These annexes provide additional context and background information to support our recommendations.
7. Next Steps: The finalized joint communication will be presented for discussion and approval during our upcoming bilateral meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. We anticipate productive input for the ICANN Board members and stakeholders to further refine our recommendations and ensure their alignment with ICANN's objectives.

A draft agenda for the bilateral session in Kigali is included below: 

Proposed Agenda for ALAC-GAC Joint Bilateral Session in Kigali
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Time: 07:00 - 08:15 UTC (75 minutes)
1. 07:00 - 07:10 UTC  Introduction and welcome by GAC/ALAC Chairs     - Jonathan Zuck, ALAC Chair     - Nico Caballo, GAC Chair
2. Presentation of Joint Position Paper
   - (07:10 - 07:25 UTC) Presentation of joint position paper by ALAC representative
   - (07:25 - 07:40 UTC) Presentation of joint position paper by GAC representative
3. Moderated Q&A Session -  (07:40 - 08:00 UTC) - Nico Caballo, GAC Chair
4. Closing remarks and next steps (08:00 - 08:15 UTC)      - Jonathan Zuck, ALAC Chair     - Nico Caballo, GAC Chair

GAC Liaison Report from ICANN79 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2024/03/16

The ICANN79 meeting took place from March 2 to March 7, 2024, and comprised various sessions significant to the interests of the end-user community. The GAC held successful meetings with the Board, Address Supporting Organization (ASO), Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), Contracted Parties House (CPH), Nominating Committee (NomCom), and Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG). These sessions covered a wide array of topics, reflecting the diverse interests and responsibilities within the ICANN community.

The designated GAC and ALAC bilateral meeting, held on March 3, 2024, featured interventions from both committees, including Rosalind Kennybirch and Tracy Hackshaw from the GAC, and Greg Shatan and Justine Chew from the ALAC. During the meeting discussed various topics, particularly focusing on the Applicant Support Program (ASP) for the New gTLD Program, with following key takeaways:

• Discussions centered around revisiting challenges from the 2012 Round of the New gTLD Program and addressing them through different components of the ASP. Key points included an overview of the ASP, insights into ALAC and GAC perspectives, and elaboration on pending components such as SubPro Supplemental Recommendation 17.2. The session aimed to provide clarity on the rationale behind the ASP, address challenges for the next round, and propose holistic approaches to its implementation.

• Overall, the meeting underscored collaborative efforts between the GAC and ALAC in shaping the ASP for the next round of the New gTLD Program. Additional discussions covered topics such as program communications, funding, and structure, reflecting a commitment to addressing key issues for the successful implementation of the ASP.

• The session highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration and proactive measures in enhancing the effectiveness of the ASP, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the domain name ecosystem within the ICANN community.

• You can find more details about the session here: https://gac.icann.org/sessions/icann79-session-7-gac-meeting-with-the-alac 

On March 11^th, as a reflection of their ICANN79 meeting considerations, the GAC published its usual communique, available here: https://gac.icann.org/contentMigrated/icann79-san-juan-communique with following key items for the consideration of the At-Large community:

• The meeting saw significant attendance with 71 GAC Members and 9 Observers present. The GAC commenced by honoring former Chair Manal Ismail with the 2024 ICANN Community Excellence Award for her long-standing service and commitment to the multistakeholder model.
• The GAC also underwent leadership changes with Nicolas Caballero assuming the role of Chair along with Vice Chairs WANG Lang, Thiago Dal-Toe, Christine Arida, and Zeina Bou Harb. Additionally, new appointments and departures were noted in various working groups, emphasizing ongoing efforts in areas such as public safety and underserved regions.
• Capacity development workshops covered a broad spectrum of issues including ccTLD management, IPv6 adoption, and regional internet registry roles. These workshops provided insights and recommendations, highlighting the need for continued capacity building, particularly in developing countries.
• Strategic planning discussions focused on priority areas for the GAC's strategic objectives, while preparations for the upcoming High-Level Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, emphasized the significance of such gatherings in reinforcing multistakeholder cooperation.
• An experimental open-mic session allowed for broader engagement within the ICANN community, providing a platform for stakeholders to address the GAC directly. Topics such as DNS abuse, cost-benefit analysis of new gTLD programs, and registry voluntary commitments were extensively deliberated.
• Regarding DNS abuse, the GAC welcomed new obligations for contracted parties and emphasized the importance of effective enforcement and reporting mechanisms. Discussions also revolved around the need for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of new gTLD programs and the enforceability of registry commitments, underscoring the necessity for careful legal analysis.
• With regard to registration data, the GAC reiterated support for initiatives such as the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) and emphasized the importance of accuracy in registration data for various legitimate interests while balancing privacy concerns.

Points of Interest for the At-Large:

  - Further steps on applicant support were discussed, emphasizing collaboration between GAC and ALAC.

  - Addressing DNS abuse and enhancing capacity building outreach remained crucial areas of focus.

GAC Liaison Report from ICANN78 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2023/11/20

Joint Meeting between GAC and ALAC
The GAC and ALAC convened in a joint session during ICANN78, focusing on key collaborative topics. The agenda encompassed follow-up discussions on the 2017 Joint GAC/ALAC Advice to the Board, deliberations on Closed Generics, and exploration of contention resolutions in new gTLDs, particularly closed bid auctions.

The joint meeting fostered a platform for open dialogue, promoting a deeper understanding of mutual concerns. The collaborative spirit demonstrated during discussions underscores the commitment of both committees to address critical issues impacting ICANN's community.

Election of GAC Vice-Chairs
The GAC elected Vice-Chairs for the term starting after ICANN79 (March 2024) and ending at ICANN82 (March 2025). The elected Vice-Chairs are Zeina Bou Harb (Lebanon), Nigel Hickson (United Kingdom), WANG Lang (China), Christine Arida (Egypt), and Thiago Dal-Toe (Colombia).

Public Safety Working Group (PSWG) Activities and Joint Working Meeting
In addition to the broader GAC meeting, a bilateral session took place between ALAC and the GAC Public Safety Working Group (PSWG). This meeting aimed to foster collaboration on critical issues related to DNS Abuse and domain name registration data access.

The PSWG actively advocated for enhanced measures to combat DNS Abuse and ensure lawful access to domain name registration data. Key highlights from the PSWG meeting include a comprehensive briefing on DNS Abuse Mitigation, support for the GAC Small Group addressing domain name registration issues, and outreach efforts to strengthen collaboration within ICANN.

Closed Generic gTLDs Advisory
The GAC acknowledges and commends the efforts of participants in the GAC, GNSO, and ALAC Facilitated Dialogue on Closed Generics. The GAC issues an advisory to the Board, urging clarity in the Applicant Guidebook regarding the non-consideration of applications for Closed Generic gTLDs in the next round of New gTLDs.

The advisory is based on unanimous support from the Chairs of ALAC, GAC, and GNSO during the Facilitated Dialogue. It emphasizes the importance of community-developed consensus policies before considering applications for Closed Generic gTLDs. The rationale behind this advice includes avoiding confusion for potential applicants, reflecting community concerns, and promoting an open digital space.

This advisory aligns with the GAC's commitment to safeguarding the integrity and public interest of the domain name ecosystem. It underscores the significance of clear guidance in the Applicant Guidebook to prevent unnecessary resource allocation and align with community-wide consensus policies.

GAC Liaison's Report: - Preparations for ICANN 78 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report Date: 2023/09/25

Following report reflects an email exchange between the liaison, outlining a draft agenda for the upcoming ICANN 78 meeting.

Date and Time: Tuesday, Oct. 24th at 11:30 CEST for 60 minutes

Agenda Items:

1.    Joint ALAC/GAC Statement on Contention Resolution

•    Objective: Follow-up to the discussions held during ICANN77.

•    Previous ALAC Speaker(s): Alan Greenberg (tbc)

•    Previous GAC Speaker(s): Nigel Hickson

2.    New gTLD Program Next Round (formerly SubPro) with a focus on Contention Resolution, Closed Generics, Applicant Support

•    Objective: Exchange views and adjust positions regarding Contention Resolution, Closed Generics, Applicant Support, including a possible joint GAC/ALAC statement on closed generics.

•    Previous GAC Speaker(s): Nigel Hickson

•    Previous ALAC Speaker(s): Justine Chew (tbc)

3.    Joint ALAC/GAC Statement on Enabling Inclusive, Informed, and Meaningful Participation in ICANN

•    Objective: Continue discussions initiated during ICANN77, including:

•    Establishing a numbering system for documents to enhance cooperation.

•    Creating primers on key topics for comprehensive understanding, with a small working team set up to following ICANN 78.

•    Previous ALAC Speaker(s): Alan Greenberg/Jonathan Zuck (tbc)

•    Previous GAC Speaker(s): Nigel Hickson

Intersessional Capacity-Building Session on Emerging Technologies (optional):

•    A session ahead of ICANN78 to cover topics such as AI and n/ew technologies.

These preparations reflect both communities dedication to staying updated on regulatory developments concerning the DNS and safeguarding the interests of end-users, while also highlighting our shared interest in supporting applicants. 

GAC Liaison's Report: ICANN77 Governmental Advisory Committee Communiqué Now Available, June 20th, 2023 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Full text of the Communique available here: https://gac.icann.org/contentMigrated/icann77-washington-d-c-communique

In its statement the GAC highlighted several issues of importance, including closed generic gTLDs, registry voluntary commitments (RVCs) and public interest commitments (PICs) in new gTLDs, GAC consensus advice and GAC early warnings, DNS abuse, registration data accuracy, registration data request service (RDRS), and registration data consensus policy. Regarding closed generic gTLDs, the GAC discussed a proposed draft framework and raised concerns about fundamental matters, competition issues, economic and social impacts, evaluation panel criteria, and government intervention during the evaluation process. They emphasized the need for further clarification and committed to elaborating their position during the community comment period. On other topics, the GAC expressed support for additional PICs to address emerging public policy concerns in new gTLDs, emphasized the importance of GAC early warnings and advice, and discussed the role of DNS abuse mitigation in combating negative impacts. They also emphasized the need for accurate registration data while considering privacy concerns. The GAC welcomed the launch of the RDRS and supported efforts to generate data for further community discussion. They highlighted the importance of user-friendly access, training, and guidance. The GAC also welcomed the implementation of the EPDP Phase 1 recommendations and stressed the need for the Consensus Policy to comply with data protection principles.

The GAC provided consensus advice to the ICANN Board on various topics. Firstly, they advised the Board to ensure equitable participation in the proposed Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) by all interested ICANN communities. They emphasized the importance of clarifying the implementation of SPIRT and the role of the GAC in it. Secondly, the GAC advised the Board to make future Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) and Public Interest Commitments (PICs) enforceable through clear contractual obligations with specified consequences for failure to meet those obligations. They highlighted concerns about the weak implementation and dispute resolution process of PICs in highly-regulated sectors. Regarding applicant support in new gTLD applications, the GAC advised the Board to specify ICANN's plans related to expanding financial support and engaging with actors in underrepresented or underserved regions. They also recommended substantial reduction or elimination of application and ongoing fees to provide financial support for applicants from these regions. The GAC emphasized the importance of increasing diversity in new gTLD applications through awareness raising, capacity development, and exploring potential back-end service support. In relation to contention sets in new gTLDs, the GAC advised the Board to avoid using auctions of last resort between commercial and non-commercial applications. The GAC recommended exploring alternative means, such as drawing lots, for resolution. They also urged the banning or strong disincentivization of private monetary means, including private auctions, to prevent applications under false pretenses for monetary gain. The GAC also provided an update on the follow-up to previous advice. They thanked the Board for reprioritizing the Privacy Proxy Services Accreditation Issues (PPSAI) policy recommendations based on their previous advice and requested regular updates from the Board on the status of activities related to Privacy and Proxy services. 

The GAC also discussed internal matters, including membership and elections. They announced that the election process for GAC Vice-Chairs would be initiated shortly after the meeting. The GAC Working Groups, such as the Public Safety Working Group (PSWG) and the Underserved Regions Working Group (USRWG), provided updates on their ongoing activities and capacity development workshops. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, alternative DNS roots, and blockchain, were briefly discussed, and the GAC agreed to have capacity building on these topics during a future meeting.

GAC Liaison's Report: GAC Discussion on WHOIS and Preparation for ICANN Board Meeting, ICANN 77, June 12th, 2023 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Accompanying slides https://gac.icann.org/sessions/icann77-session-3-gac-discussion-on-whois-and-data-protection-policy-incl-accuracy

The session highlighted the significance of WHOIS data in various legitimate activities, including assisting law enforcement, combating fraud, protecting intellectual property, and maintaining user confidence in the Internet. The speakers at the session included Christopher Lewis-Evans from the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency, Kenneth Merrill from the U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA, Laureen Kapin from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and Melina Stroungi from European Commission. These speakers stressed the importance of WHOIS data for government agencies, businesses, and organizations involved in protecting public safety and combating illicit activities. One crucial aspect emphasized during the session was the need to strike a balance between protecting the public and safeguarding privacy. Data protection laws, particularly those in the European Union and other jurisdictions, were recognized as essential for achieving this balance. Such laws enable access to relevant information while respecting individuals' privacy rights. The discussion referred back to the GAC Principles Regarding gTLD WHOIS Services from 2007, demonstrating that the issues discussed then are still relevant in 2023. The session emphasized the continued importance of WHOIS data and the need to ensure its accessibility for those lawfully entitled to access it. The GAC raised concerns about the proposed implementation of Phase 1 recommendations for WHOIS services. These concerns included defining urgent requests and establishing timelines, collecting and publishing reseller data, handling registration information related to legal entities, and determining qualifiers for redacted data. The GAC called for greater clarity and standardized practices in these areas. ICANN responded to public comments, providing clarification on several aspects of the proposed policy. They addressed concerns about the timeline for responding to urgent requests, the collection and publication of reseller data, the impact on Thick WHOIS, and the policy gap between Phase 1 and Phase 2A. They emphasized that the recommendations made during the EPDP Phase 1 were thoroughly considered, and making additional changes beyond the policy's scope was not necessary. The report concluded by noting that the Implementation Review Team (IRT) is currently reviewing ICANN's response, including during ICANN77. The ongoing discussions and considerations surrounding WHOIS data and its role in protecting public interests and privacy will continue to shape ICANN's policies and approaches.

Key WHOIS and Data Protection Policy Summary points focused on the importance of WHOIS and data protection and included concerns around:

1. Background on WHOIS and Data Protection: The GAC emphasized the importance of WHOIS data in assisting law enforcement, combating fraud, protecting intellectual property, and building user confidence in the internet. Compliance with data protection laws was also highlighted.

2. Proposed gTLD Registration Data Policy: The draft Registration Data Consensus Policy was presented, addressing concerns such as response times for urgent requests, collection of reseller data, and registration information for legal entities.

3. Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) itself and its features including a central portal for request intake, no cost to requestors, and routing requests to registrars.

4. Privacy/Proxy Services: Privacy and proxy services were defined as mechanisms to shield the identity and contact information of domain name holders. The impact of these services on registration data access was highlighted.

5. Registration Data Accuracy: The accuracy of registration data was recognized as an essential aspect of WHOIS services. A Data Accuracy Scoping Team was assigned to address this issue.

Considerations for Washington D.C. Communiqué focused on GAC concerns regarding the implementation of Phase 1 recommendations of the Registration Data Consensus Policy, including response times for urgent requests and the collection of reseller data. The GAC also emphasized the need for clarity, standards, and the evaluation of registrar compliance. ICANN response to the public comments on the proposed policy, clarified certain points such as the timeline for response to urgent requests and the collection of reseller data. The response also addressed the impact on Thick WHOIS and the policy gap between Phase 1 and Phase 2A. The development of the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) was approved by the ICANN Board. The RDRS features a central intake portal, no cost to requestors, and communication between requestors and registrars outside the system. The GAC considered the RDRS a useful first step but highlighted risks and concerns regarding adoption, awareness, and the generation of actionable data. In drafting its Communique the GAC is to consider the GNSO Small Team proposed success criteria for the RDRS, including its availability to all requestors and registrars, tracking of relevant data points, and user satisfaction measurement. Privacy and proxy services are to be discussed in relation to registration data access, highlighting their significance in protecting domain name holder information. Next steps include encouraging comprehensive usage of the RDRS, considering policy development to require registrar participation, establishing success criteria for the system, and analyzing usage statistics.

GAC Liaison's Report on Joint Session: ALAC, GAC, and GNSO Facilitated Dialogue on Closed Generics

...

, ICANN 77, June 12th,

...

2023 [by Joanna Kulesza]

This session aimed to further the GAC, GNSO and ALAC facilitated dialogue to reach broad understanding on a proposed framework to underpin expected further policy work on the topic of closed generic gTLDs. The participants in the dialogue group held two sessions at ICANN77 to present a draft framework for community feedback.

...

Dialogue participants encouraged community feedback on the draft, inclluding feedback from individual end-users, as per the formal announcement: "The Facilitated Dialogue group is currently seeking community feedback on the Draft Framework for Closed Generic gTLD. This feedback will be considered by the group as it continues to work 
work toward a Final Framework, to underpin expected policy work on closed generic gTLDs. SO/AC groups are encouraged to submit feedback via: support staff within ICANN org or directly to closed-generics-feedback@icann.org by 15 July 2023.

...