ICANN delays .org selloff after California’s attorney general intervenes (theregister.co.uk)

Article summary

ICANN has delayed its decision on the sale of the .org registry to private equity firm Ethos Capital after California's attorney general intervened, citing concerns about the impact on non-profit organizations and the lack of transparency about Ethos Capital's plans. The sale, worth $1.13 billion, has been widely criticized by the internet community. ICANN's behavior during the process has also come under fire, with accusations that it has abandoned its core principles and is no longer responsive to the needs of its stakeholders. The delay is the fourth such postponement, with a new decision deadline set for May 4.

Main themes

• ICANN governance
• domain name management
• non-profit organizations
• decentralized alternatives
• blockchain technology
• internet infrastructure regulation

What commenters say

• The sale of .org to a for-profit entity is seen as a threat to the non-profit organizations that rely on it, and ICANN's decision-making process has been criticized as opaque and unresponsive to stakeholders.
• Decentralized alternatives, such as blockchain-based systems, are proposed as a potential solution to the problems with ICANN's governance model.
• The effectiveness of Bitcoin and other decentralized currencies in achieving their goals is disputed, with some arguing that they have been co-opted by speculators and are no longer serving their original purpose.
• ICANN's independence from US government control has been questioned, with some arguing that it is still subject to US law and should be held accountable for its actions.
• The use of blockchain technology to manage domain names is seen as experimental and unproven, with potential issues around scalability and governance.
• The auctioning off of domain names to the highest bidder is criticized as a short-term profit-maximization scheme that undermines the integrity of the internet.
• The involvement of private equity firms in the management of critical internet infrastructure is viewed with skepticism, with concerns about the potential for profiteering and exploitation.