Latest news with #ICANN
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India Gears Up for Internet Naming Revolution as ICANN Prepares New gTLD Round
India PR Distribution Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 19: After a 12-year pause, ICANN -- the global internet governance body-- is reopening its New gTLD application window in 2026. This program will once again allow businesses, cities, and organizations to apply for their own domain name extensions, marking a rare opportunity to secure long-term digital autonomy. At the recently concluded ICANN83 Policy Forum in Prague, a visibly stronger Indian presence -- comprising government officials, internet governance leaders, and domain name experts -- signaled growing interest from India in participating meaningfully this time. "This program gives Indian companies a rare opportunity to own a permanent digital identity," said Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), who led the Indian delegation. "We believe DotBrands can play a key role in advancing digital trust, security, and self-reliance." While international corporations like Google (.google), Microsoft (.microsoft), and Barclays (.barclays) already operate their own extensions, India's footprint in the last round was modest. Only a handful of Indian companies applied, and even fewer moved forward with active usage. The current momentum seems different. "Compared to 2012, there's significantly more clarity and preparedness now," said Samiran Gupta, ICANN. "We're seeing more Indian stakeholders engage early -- from brands and banks to technical and policy professionals." Among those involved in building that readiness is Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian, an independent New gTLD Consultant who attended ICANN83 as part of the Indian delegation. His work focuses on helping organizations understand the implications and process behind operating their own top-level domains. "For many, the idea of owning a domain extension still sounds abstract. But once you see how .brand domains create trust, eliminate phishing, and put digital control back in the hands of the business, it becomes a very tangible asset," said Venkatesh, New gTLD Consultant at With the application period expected to be open for just 90 days in 2026, stakeholders emphasized the need to begin preparations well in advance -- especially for enterprise-scale applicants who will need legal, technical, and operational planning. "This isn't a last-minute decision -- applying for a DotBrand New gTLD requires months of planning, detailed documentation, and technical readiness. With the window expected to be open for just 90 days, brands that want to apply need to start preparing now -- and that's where the right consultant can make all the difference," Venkatesh added. As India continues to invest in digital infrastructure and champions the narrative of an open and secure internet, the coming year could be pivotal in reshaping how Indian brands stake their presence in the global domain space. Imagine brands like Zomato using CRED offering or Adani Group launching portals like -- all within a secure, brand-owned ecosystem. These DotBrand domains reduce dependence on .com, enhance customer trust, and give companies complete control over their digital infrastructure. India's growing digital maturity, coupled with its emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India, makes the timing ideal.
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
What Holds the Internet Together and Why It's Now at Risk
A new report from ICANN and the Internet Society details how the Internet Governance Forum has supported a stable and secure Internet—and why that model is now under strain. PRAGUE, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As global discussions intensify around the future of Internet governance, two of the Internet's long-standing technical institutions—the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Society (ISOC)—are urging renewed focus on what has kept the Internet open and operational for more than two decades: collaborative coordination across borders and sectors. Released today, the joint report Footprints of 20 Years of the Internet Governance Forum illustrates how cooperation among governments, engineers, civil society, and businesses has helped maintain a single, secure, and globally accessible Internet. The report draws from a range of technical, policy, and infrastructure outcomes that have emerged through the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and its broader network. "The Internet didn't stay unified by chance. Its resilience is the result of people and institutions working across borders and sectors," said Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO. "This report underscores that the Internet's success is not accidental; it's coordinated. If we value a single, secure, and interoperable Internet, then we must recommit to the model that made it possible." "For twenty years, the IGF has shown that multistakeholder governance delivers," said Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society. "Its footprint spans infrastructure, security, access, and policy—often in places where conventional governance falls short. But the gains we've made are only as strong as our commitment to keep investing in them." Key Findings A Pivotal Moment The report is being launched ahead of the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a milestone that is expected to influence how global digital cooperation evolves in the coming decade. Against this backdrop, ICANN and ISOC are calling for renewed attention to the institutions and frameworks that have supported a unified, secure, and open Internet. Rather than offering abstract conclusions, the report is structured around practical and globally sourced examples. It aims to inform current debates by showing what has worked and what could be at risk if support for distributed, collaborative governance falters. Download the full report. About ICANN ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. For more information, please visit: About the Internet Society Founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization working to ensure the Internet is for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 130+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What Holds the Internet Together and Why It's Now at Risk
A new report from ICANN and the Internet Society details how the Internet Governance Forum has supported a stable and secure Internet—and why that model is now under strain. PRAGUE, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ -- As global discussions intensify around the future of Internet governance, two of the Internet's long-standing technical institutions—the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Society (ISOC)—are urging renewed focus on what has kept the Internet open and operational for more than two decades: collaborative coordination across borders and sectors. Released today, the joint report Footprints of 20 Years of the Internet Governance Forum illustrates how cooperation among governments, engineers, civil society, and businesses has helped maintain a single, secure, and globally accessible Internet. The report draws from a range of technical, policy, and infrastructure outcomes that have emerged through the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and its broader network. "The Internet didn't stay unified by chance. Its resilience is the result of people and institutions working across borders and sectors," said Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO. "This report underscores that the Internet's success is not accidental; it's coordinated. If we value a single, secure, and interoperable Internet, then we must recommit to the model that made it possible." "For twenty years, the IGF has shown that multistakeholder governance delivers," said Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society. "Its footprint spans infrastructure, security, access, and policy—often in places where conventional governance falls short. But the gains we've made are only as strong as our commitment to keep investing in them." Key Findings Infrastructure ImpactInternet Exchange Points (IXPs), which allow local Internet traffic to be exchanged more efficiently, more than doubled in Africa over the past decade. This growth has reduced latency, improved service quality, and cut operational costs for providers. Global ReachMore than 4.4 million domain names are now registered in non-Latin scripts, significantly expanding digital access for communities using Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, and other scripts. Universal Acceptance Day 2025 was marked by over 50 international events promoting full linguistic functionality across the Internet ecosystem. Internet Security at ScaleToday, 93 percent of top-level domains are protected using Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a protocol that helps prevent DNS-based cyberattacks by verifying data authenticity. In parallel, more than 1,000 networks around the world have adopted the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS), an initiative that promotes responsible routing practices and mitigates systemic vulnerabilities. Policy EngagementOver 180 National and Regional Internet Governance Forums (NRIs) are active worldwide. Youth IGFs have brought new perspectives into national and international policy dialogues, while the IGF Parliamentary Track has helped shape legislative thinking on digital trust, rights, and inclusion. A Pivotal MomentThe report is being launched ahead of the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a milestone that is expected to influence how global digital cooperation evolves in the coming decade. Against this backdrop, ICANN and ISOC are calling for renewed attention to the institutions and frameworks that have supported a unified, secure, and open Internet. Rather than offering abstract conclusions, the report is structured around practical and globally sourced examples. It aims to inform current debates by showing what has worked and what could be at risk if support for distributed, collaborative governance falters. Download the full report. About ICANNICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. For more information, please visit: About the Internet SocietyFounded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization working to ensure the Internet is for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 130+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ICANN View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
10-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
What Holds the Internet Together and Why It's Now at Risk
A new report from ICANN and the Internet Society details how the Internet Governance Forum has supported a stable and secure Internet—and why that model is now under strain. PRAGUE, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ -- As global discussions intensify around the future of Internet governance, two of the Internet's long-standing technical institutions—the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Society (ISOC)—are urging renewed focus on what has kept the Internet open and operational for more than two decades: collaborative coordination across borders and sectors. Released today, the joint report Footprints of 20 Years of the Internet Governance Forum illustrates how cooperation among governments, engineers, civil society, and businesses has helped maintain a single, secure, and globally accessible Internet. The report draws from a range of technical, policy, and infrastructure outcomes that have emerged through the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and its broader network. "The Internet didn't stay unified by chance. Its resilience is the result of people and institutions working across borders and sectors," said Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO. "This report underscores that the Internet's success is not accidental; it's coordinated. If we value a single, secure, and interoperable Internet, then we must recommit to the model that made it possible." "For twenty years, the IGF has shown that multistakeholder governance delivers," said Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society. "Its footprint spans infrastructure, security, access, and policy—often in places where conventional governance falls short. But the gains we've made are only as strong as our commitment to keep investing in them." Key Findings Infrastructure Impact Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), which allow local Internet traffic to be exchanged more efficiently, more than doubled in Africa over the past decade. This growth has reduced latency, improved service quality, and cut operational costs for providers. Global Reach More than 4.4 million domain names are now registered in non-Latin scripts, significantly expanding digital access for communities using Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, and other scripts. Universal Acceptance Day 2025 was marked by over 50 international events promoting full linguistic functionality across the Internet ecosystem. Internet Security at Scale Today, 93 percent of top-level domains are protected using Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a protocol that helps prevent DNS-based cyberattacks by verifying data authenticity. In parallel, more than 1,000 networks around the world have adopted the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS), an initiative that promotes responsible routing practices and mitigates systemic vulnerabilities. Policy Engagement Over 180 National and Regional Internet Governance Forums (NRIs) are active worldwide. Youth IGFs have brought new perspectives into national and international policy dialogues, while the IGF Parliamentary Track has helped shape legislative thinking on digital trust, rights, and inclusion. A Pivotal Moment The report is being launched ahead of the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a milestone that is expected to influence how global digital cooperation evolves in the coming decade. Against this backdrop, ICANN and ISOC are calling for renewed attention to the institutions and frameworks that have supported a unified, secure, and open Internet. Rather than offering abstract conclusions, the report is structured around practical and globally sourced examples. It aims to inform current debates by showing what has worked and what could be at risk if support for distributed, collaborative governance falters. Download the full report. About ICANN ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. For more information, please visit: About the Internet Society Founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization working to ensure the Internet is for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 130+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit:
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN) on Incremental Returns' Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on VRSN. VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN)'s share was trading at $275.56 as of 2nd June. VRSN's trailing and forward P/E were 33.69 and 31.25 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Copyright: ralwel / 123RF Stock Photo Verisign (VRSN) exemplifies a business fortified by regulatory structure, technical prowess, and systemic inertia, forming one of the most defensible competitive moats in modern infrastructure. At the heart of its advantage is an exclusive contractual relationship with ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce, which effectively ensures its ongoing control over the .com and .net domain registries. The inclusion of a presumptive right of renewal clause in these contracts gives Verisign a near-perpetual license, assuming compliance, creating a regulatory fortress that would be nearly impossible for any competitor to penetrate. Complementing this legal insulation is Verisign's unmatched technical track record, having provided 26 consecutive years of uninterrupted DNS service. This operational excellence not only underpins its credibility but also raises the bar prohibitively high for any aspiring challengers who would need to match Verisign's reliability and security to even be considered viable alternatives. Further reinforcing its position are the immense systemic switching costs. The risks associated with transitioning the core registry functions for .com and .net domains create powerful disincentives for any change, as even minor disruptions could jeopardize global internet stability. While Verisign lacks consumer-facing brand recognition, the ubiquity and credibility of .com and .net domains—holding a combined 46% market share among top-level domains—cement its position in the digital landscape. This brand association with legitimacy and trust creates a self-perpetuating advantage. In totality, Verisign's combination of regulatory entrenchment, technical supremacy, switching frictions, and domain dominance forms a long-lasting competitive shield, suggesting its strategic position is likely secure for decades to come. VeriSign, Inc. (VRSN) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 45 hedge fund portfolios held VRSN at the end of the first quarter which was 41 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of VRSN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
