US opposition to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ (ICANN) domain names policy could lead to a fractured internet, it has been claimed.
Peter Dengate-Thrush, the recent chairman of ICANN, warned that concerns over new top level domain names could persuade some countries to split from the net.
He said opposition from the US Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and its allies actually threatens the independence of the internet.
This is because if the bodies succeed in halting ICANN’s plan, US interests will be seen to heavily influence overall policy.
“If the ANA succeeds against ICANN, it will strengthen the view that the US controls the internet,” said Mr. Dengate-Thrush.
He claimed that ICANN has been forced, over the years, to gradually reduce US government control over the net for just this reason.