EU Calls for “Internet G12″ for Global Internet Governance

EU Calls for “Internet G12″ for Global Internet Governance:

"Daniel Taylor
Old Thinker News
Friday, May 8, 2009

As the EU Observer reports, Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding has called on President Obama to fully privatize the California based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which manages the web address system for the internet, and build a “multilateral forum for governments to discuss general internet governance policy and security issues.” The international group would in turn “make recommendations” with regards to global internet governance.

Reding is anticipating the expiration of the ICANN contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce in September of 2009, calling for a separation of ICANN from its U.S. ties, making ICANN an international organization. Reding states,

“The expiry of the agreement between ICANN and the US government “opens the door for the full privatisation of ICANN, and it also raises the question of to whom ICANN should be accountable.”

“In the long run, it is not defendable that the government department of only one country has oversight of an internet function which is used by hundreds of millions of people in countries all over the world,” Reding said.

Reding’s comments provide a window into a wider agenda to transform the internet. Reding stated in October of 2008 that, “The Internet of the future will radically change our society.” Ultimately, according to Reding, the EU is aiming to “lead the way” in the transformation to “Web 3.0.”"