AT-LARGE GATEWAY
At-Large Regional Policy Engagement Program (ARPEP)
At-Large Review Implementation Plan Development
Page History
ICANN 79 Meeting:
The ICANN 79 meeting covered the following topics and key takeaways:
SSAC Membership:
There was extensive discussion on rejuvenating SSAC membership, emphasizing the need for more diverse representation:
- Currently, there are no members from Latin America/Caribbean Islands or Africa.
- There are very few members from Asia/Pacific.
- Members with academic and research backgrounds are sought.
- The membership is predominantly male.
Name Collision Analysis Project (NCAP):
NCAP was presented, focusing on the ongoing threat name collisions pose to DNS security and stability. The Name Collision Risk Assessment Framework included:
- Integrated Risk Assessment
- Technical Review Team
- Enhanced Data Collection
- Multiple Assessment Methods
Privacy Considerations for Name Collision Remediation:
- The importance of data collection and the timing and location within the evaluation process were emphasized.
- It was noted that granting the TLD to the applicant does not resolve privacy risks related to name collisions; instead, it shifts these costs and risks to the applicant, who may lack the capacity or incentive to mitigate them properly.
Safer Cyber Campaign:
During the joint meeting between the ALAC and SSAC the Safer Cyber Campaign was discussed:
- The campaign highlighted cybersecurity as critical infrastructure.
- It demonstrated effective collaboration between SSAC and various ICANN communities to reach diverse audiences.
- The campaign’s focus is on curating and disseminating impactful DNS security information.
Evolving Internet Name Resolution Space:
The session discussed the evolving internet name resolution space, noting:
- Increasing ambiguity in domain name resolution.
- Names becoming less visible and less noticeable to users.
- This ambiguity in Internet name resolution can lead to unexpected results and undermine trust in the integrity of services on the Internet.
ICANN79 Prep Week Session: Name Collision Analysis Project Study 2 Update:
Why NCAP?
2017: ICANN Board tasked SSAC to conduct studies to present data, analysis and points of view, and provide advice to the Board on name collisions
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Recommendation 11 - ICANN should not move ahead with NCAP Study 3
Publications:
SAC123: Report on the Evolution of Internet Name Resolution
Some key aspects:
- Internet name resolution is evolving beyond just the global DNS to include alternative naming systems that are experimenting with different approaches for reasons like speed, privacy, censorship resistance, and governance.
- Many alternative systems adopt DNS name syntax to leverage existing software.
- Two concerning trends are increased ambiguity where the same name can resolve differently in different systems, and less visibility of names to end users even as names remain vital for security and trust.
- Maintaining integrity and coordination in the shared domain namespace is important.
- The report explores different perspectives on these trends from end users and developers.
- It identifies proposals to facilitate namespace coordination and recommends ICANN continue tracking these issues and provide regular updates to the community.
...
- Domain names used to play an important role for end users in discovering web resources, but search engines have now replaced them as the primary method of discovery.
- End users today rarely directly interact with domain names due to the dominance of search engines and mobile devices. Features like browser "omnibars" also allow more free-form input.
- Other identifiers like QR codes and social media handles now also compete for users' attention rather than domain names.
- Domain names are becoming less visible in users' environments, yet they still provide an underlying ubiquitous resolution context relied upon by other technologies.
- Surveys found search engines are by far the predominant method for accessing websites, with domain name usage declining. QR code usage is increasing but still limited except in Asia.
- Decreased domain name visibility makes it easier for fraudsters to deceive users with lookalike names. Users are also generally unaware that some TLDs signal a different resolution context.
- In summary, domain names are no longer the primary method end users employ to find and access Internet resources, decreasing their visibility and understandability while introducing security issues.
SAC122: Report on Urgent Requests in the gTLD Registration Data Policy
Some key aspects:
- Focus is on handling of Urgent Requests in proposed gTLD registration data policy
- Urgent Requests refer to imminent threats to life, injury, infrastructure or child exploitation
- Proposed policy requires response to Urgent Requests in 24 hours generally
- SSAC contends proposed policy for Urgent Requests is not fit for purpose
- Definition and required response times are incompatible
- Questions if need and rationale for separate Urgent Request process is fully justified
- Existing ICANN policy and industry practices offer useful precedents
- Proposed extensions allow responses up to 7 days, not reflecting urgency
- Lack of concrete data on frequency and handling of such requests currently
- Risks reputation of ICANN multistakeholder model effectiveness
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- Add structure to ensure Urgent Requests handled expediently
- Tighten response time requirements to be fit for purpose
- Gather data on Urgent Requests for future policy making
