Former ICANN CEO is now co-CEO of the private equity firm that tried to buy .org (domainnamewire.com)

Article summary

Former ICANN CEO Fadi Chehadé is now listed as co-CEO of Ethos Capital, a private equity firm that attempted to buy the .org domain registry. The deal was denied by ICANN, and Chehadé's involvement with Ethos was initially not publicly disclosed. Ethos' website now lists Chehadé as co-CEO, along with several other former ICANN employees. The move has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the governance of the internet.

Main themes

• ICANN governance
• internet infrastructure
• domain name system
• corruption and accountability
• alternative DNS systems
• US government influence

What commenters say

• Replacing ICANN with a new root system could be a viable alternative to the current governance structure.
• The attempt to buy .org by Ethos Capital is seen as a corrupt and self-serving move by some commenters.
• Some argue that browsers could create their own naming systems, but this would be complex and potentially problematic.
• The use of alternative DNS systems, such as those supported by some browsers, could potentially undermine ICANN's authority.
• The issue highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in internet governance.
• Some commenters believe that the US government's influence over ICANN is a concern, while others argue that the US has stronger protections for free speech.
• The privatization of ICANN in 2016 has not eliminated concerns about its governance and potential for corruption.