UN Vote May Prevent Internet Fragmentation, ICANN Leader Says

The potential fragmentation of the internet into national “splinternets” is likely to be avoided during a United Nations vote scheduled for December 15-16, 2023. Kurtis Lindqvist, the head of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), expressed optimism about the situation during the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon. He stated that the majority of countries he has consulted, including those previously skeptical, now recognize the effectiveness of the current model governing the internet.

At the upcoming UN meeting, officials from member states will review the regulations that have guided internet governance for the past two decades. Some proposals suggest transferring control of managing internet addresses away from ICANN, which is based in the United States. This shift has garnered support from various governments and trade groups seeking more direct oversight.

Lindqvist warned that such a move could lead to a fragmented internet, where users might face significant challenges connecting across different address systems. He remarked, “There’s some careful optimism” that the existing governance structure will remain intact, emphasizing that negotiations regarding the text to be adopted at the meeting have only just begun.

The Importance of a Unified Internet

ICANN is primarily responsible for coordinating the global allocation of internet addresses, including both user-friendly domain names and the numerical IP addresses used by computers. A unified addressing system enables seamless communication, allowing anyone to access websites or send emails globally. Lindqvist highlighted that this interconnectedness creates substantial social and economic benefits, stating, “If we start fragmenting this by raising barriers or through policy actions, then we start diminishing this value creation.”

Lindqvist cautioned against complacency regarding the internet’s success. He noted that as the internet has become a fundamental part of daily life, there is a risk that its significance is taken for granted. This perspective underscores the necessity of maintaining robust governance structures to protect the internet’s unified nature.

Future of Internet Governance and AI Regulation

In addition to discussing the internet, Lindqvist also called on the UN to reassess its practice of reviewing internet governance every ten years. He believes that the current model has proven successful and should continue without significant disruption, a sentiment that he claims is echoed by most member states.

Conversely, the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a different challenge, with Lindqvist noting that “everything literally is on the table” in discussions among governments. The landscape for AI regulation is diverse, ranging from proposals for independent oversight similar to ICANN’s model to the establishment of a dedicated UN agency for AI governance. He remarked that the current discourse on AI regulation mirrors the debates of the late 1990s regarding internet governance.

As the December meeting approaches, the implications of these discussions could have lasting effects on how the internet is governed and the future of global digital communication. Lindqvist’s emphasis on unity reflects a broader recognition of the internet’s significance in modern society, underscoring the urgency of maintaining a cohesive global network.