The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is a key bit of the US Government. It has just announced a review of its “International Internet Policy Priorities” . It wants comments by 2nd July.
The terms of reference make clear that pretty much everything is up for discussion including privacy and security, emerging technologies, multi-stakeholderism, the operation of ICANN, the IGF etc.
ICANN
Here is question D on page 3: “Should the IANA Stewardship be unwound?” That is code for saying “Is ICANN working?. When we left it the way we did, did we get it right? Could things have been set up better?
There are voices off reassuring all of the vested interests in and around ICANN that the status quo is safe, there is no intention to reintroduce “direct rule” and effectively bring ICANN back under the closer supervision of the Department of Commerce. However, once the political ball starts rolling there is no certainty about exactly where it will stop.
IGF
Here is question G: ” Are there barriers to engagement at the IGF? If so, how can we lower these barriers?”
I urge everybody with an interest in online child safety and children’s rights to let the NTIA know what you think. This could turn out to be a golden opportunity to correct or improve a few points based on actual evidence of how things have been working.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by email to iipp2018@ntia.doc.gov. Comments submitted by email should be machine-readable and not be copy-protected.
Written comments also may be submitted by mail to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4725, Attn: Fiona Alexander,Washington, DC 20230.
Desiderata 