As a public service organization, ICANN's bylaws establish the scope and direction of the organization's mission, commitments, and core values.[1] The Bylaws specify review processes for ICANN and its stakeholder organizations.[2] The review processes are designed to ensure that ICANN is performing its mission in the best way possible.[3] Reviews aim to evaluate the health of the multistakeholder model, ICANN transparency and accountability, organizational effectiveness, and the security and stability of the DNS.[3]

Specific Reviews

ICANN's operations are subject to periodic Specific Reviews, enumerated in Article 4.6 of the bylaws:[4]

  • Accountability and Transparency (ATRT) - focused on ICANN operations[5]
  • Security, Stability, & Resiliency (SSR) - focused on the DNS[6]
  • Registration Directory Service (RDS/WHOIS) - focused on registration data and public access to registration information[7]
  • Competition, Consumer Trust, and Consumer Choice (CCT) - ushered in as part of the New gTLD Program, this review is focused on the domain marketplace and the experience of registrants and other consumers[8]

Timing & Process

Organizational Review

Each supporting organization and advisory committee, as well as the Nominating Committee are periodically reviewed pursuant to Article 4.4 of the Bylaws.[9]


References