[kictanet] ICANN Board rejects sale of .org and Public Interest Registry (PIR) to a private entity

Tue May 12 18:19:16 EAT 2020

Hi everyone, 

Please find ARTICLE 19's in-depth thoughts on the .org challenge here: [ https://www.article19.org/resources/icann-the-org-decision-shows-backbone-but-what-next-for-internet-reform/ | https://www.article19.org/resources/icann-the-org-decision-shows-backbone-but-what-next-for-internet-reform/ ] 

Regards, 

Sigi, 
Digital Policy Consultant. 

From: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> 
To: "easternafricfellow" <easternafricfellow at article19.org> 
Cc: "SAMUEL O." <ochiengsoja at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 11:02:40 AM 
Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICANN Board rejects sale of .org and Public Interest Registry (PIR) to a private entity 

I thank ICANN for the move 

On Tue, May 5, 2020 at 8:06 AM Ali Hussein via kictanet < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

[ mailto:noah at neo.co.tz | @Noah ] well put. 

[ mailto:twahir at hussein.me.ke | @Twahir Hussein Kassim ] indeed. My sense is that the ISOC Board didn't read the writing on the wall on this. Which is unfortunate. As we famously say in Kenya - Vitu Kwa Ground in Different. 

Regards 

Ali Hussein 

T el: +254 713 60 1113 

Twitter: @AliHKassim 

Skype: abu-jomo 

LinkedIn: [ http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim | http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim ] [ http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim ] 

Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. 

On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM Noah via kictanet < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

So many questions around governance still linger non the less I personally give Kudos to ICANN for the move though some think it should be hands off such transactions but .org is more than just transaction. 

I think the most important outcome of this move by ICANN is that atleast the chances for authoritarian states to censor .org is somewhat hindered. Imagine a .org run by a for profit corporations that is subjected to some powerful state influence. 

Noah 

On Mon, 4 May 2020, 10:18 Twahir Hussein Kassim via kictanet, < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

I think the key word phrase here is large Internet Community they serve. There have been a series of ZOOM Meetings by ISOC from the onset of this. However, it was probably confined (not certain) to only ISOC members. From the deliberations during the meetings, I must say they were very open minded and consultative. Drawing conclusions from what has been exchanged here, seems like the consultative net might not have been cast wide enough. 

Anyways, it is water under the bridge now and lessons need to be drawn from this event. Lessons I have personally drawn are: - 

    1. Governance is applicable to all 
    2. Public interest discussions should be very inclusive i.e. include affected people from within and without the organisations 
    3. For transparency, reasons should be given for decisions taken by any decision making body. 

My 2 cents 

On Sun, May 3, 2020 at 8:06 AM Ali Hussein via kictanet < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

Not even ISOC should be allowed to 'sell-off' Public assets without consultations. I think that sometimes we have this sense that Do-Gooder organizations like ISOC are above Governance Issues. This is not the case. In fact, they should be held to higher ideals. 

My sense is that this Ethos deal might as well have been a great idea. However, the way it was executed left a lot to be desired. A lot. I got the sense that the ISOC Board took the attitude that - We know better...Trust us... Without sensitizing the large Internet Community that they serve. 

Kudos to the ICANN Board for taking the position to reject the deal. 

Regards 

Ali Hussein 

T el: +254 713 60 1113 

Twitter: @AliHKassim 

Skype: abu-jomo 

LinkedIn: [ http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim | http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim ] [ http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim ] 

Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. 

On Fri, May 1, 2020 at 9:22 PM Noah via kictanet < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

Is this a good move by the ICANN board or should ICANN be hands of business and continue playing the coordination and administration.? 

Is the .org is better off with PIR folks or should it have been managed by the folks at Ethos? 

Then there is a school of thought that says non-profits are best off not trusting folks who are after stock/profit to manage such a tld which so many have come to depend on. 

In anycase, PIR needs continued support from the folks at ISOC who am sure must be very disappointed by this outcome. 

So even post IANA translation and the empowered community we still got lots of Politics, lobbyists, courts etc going. 

Noah 

On Fri, May 1, 2020 at 12:49 PM Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet < [ mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke | kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke ] > wrote: 

BQ_BEGIN

The ICANN Board made the decision to reject the proposed change of control and entity conversion request that Public Interest Registry (PIR) submitted to ICANN . 

After completing extensive due diligence, the ICANN Board finds that withholding consent of the transfer of PIR from the Internet Society ( ISOC ) to Ethos Capital is reasonable, and the right thing to do. 

ICANN 's role is to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. We are dedicated to making the right decision, knowing that whatever we decide will be well received by some, and not by others. It is our responsibility to weigh all factors from an ICANN Bylaws and policies perspective, including considering the global public interest. We have done this diligently, ensuring as much transparency as possible and welcoming input from stakeholders throughout. 

[ https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-board-withholds-consent-for-a-change-of-control-of-the-public-interest-registry-pir | https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-board-withholds-consent-for-a-change-of-control-of-the-public-interest-registry-pir ] 
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