Changes

The Federal Trade Commission regularly provides comments and recommendation to ICANN policies since the establishment of the internet governing body. In 1999, FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection commented on the negotiated tentative agreements between the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]], the U.S. Department of Commerce, and [[Network Solutions]] regarding the [[.com]], [[.net]] and [[.org]] generic top level domain names [[gTLD]]s. In its comment, the bureau supported the provision of the tentative agreements, which seeks to improve the [[Whois]] data base. In addition, the bureau also recommended ICANN to implement the suspension of domain names if a registrant fails provide accurate contact information after an inquiry by the [[Registrar]]. Furthermore, the bureau also encouraged ICANN to expedite the implementation of a policy requiring registrars to conduct reasonable verification mechanisms. <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/1999/10/icann.htm Comment of the Staff of the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission, October 29, 1999]</ref>

The Federal Trade Commission regularly provides comments and recommendation to ICANN policies since the establishment of the internet governing body. In 1999, FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection commented on the negotiated tentative agreements between the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]], the U.S. Department of Commerce, and [[Network Solutions]] regarding the [[.com]], [[.net]] and [[.org]] generic top level domain names [[gTLD]]s. In its comment, the bureau supported the provision of the tentative agreements, which seeks to improve the [[Whois]] data base. In addition, the bureau also recommended ICANN to implement the suspension of domain names if a registrant fails provide accurate contact information after an inquiry by the [[Registrar]]. Furthermore, the bureau also encouraged ICANN to expedite the implementation of a policy requiring registrars to conduct reasonable verification mechanisms. <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/1999/10/icann.htm Comment of the Staff of the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission, October 29, 1999]</ref>

In 2006, the FTC Commission Jon Leibowitz testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the Issue on Internet Governance and the Future of ICANN. In his testimony, Leibowitz emphasized the significance of maintaining the accuracy of the Whois data base in enforcing consumer protection laws. The FTC Commissioner also informed the Senate that he attended the ICANN Meeting in Marrakesh Morocco and the Generic Names Supporting Organization [[GNSO]] of ICANN to re-consider its decision in implementing a policy that the Whois data base should be used only for technical purposes. FTC pointed out that if the proposed policy will be implemented, it will negatively affect the consumers worldwide. FTC will not be able to go after suspects who commit internet fraud and those who distribute spam and spyware that infects consumer’s computers. The Commissioner also informed the Senate that GNSO had been working to include FTC’s suggestion in its proposal, which will be submitted to the [[ICANN Board]]. In addition, he also encouraged ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee [[GAC]] to continuously work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies in their countries regarding the serious outcome of losing access to Whois database in law enforcement and consumer protection. Furthermore, Leibowitz also expressed the interest of FTC to explore the possibility of a tiered access to resolve the issue on consumer privacy and law enforcement. <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/testimony/P035302igovernancefutureicanncommissiontestsenate09202006.pdf FTC Testimony on Internet Governance: The Future of ICANN, September 20, 2006]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/icann.shtm FTC Issues Statement on Whois Databases]</ref>

In 2006, the FTC Commission Jon Leibowitz testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the Issue on Internet Governance and the Future of ICANN. In his testimony, Leibowitz emphasized the significance of maintaining the accuracy of the Whois data base in enforcing consumer protection laws. The FTC Commissioner also informed the Senate that he attended the ICANN Meeting in Marrakesh Morocco and the Generic Names Supporting Organization [[GNSO]] of ICANN to re-consider its decision in implementing a policy that the Whois data base should be used only for technical purposes. FTC pointed out that if the proposed policy will be implemented, it will negatively affect the consumers worldwide. FTC will not be able to go after suspects who commit internet fraud and those who distribute spam and spyware that infects consumer’s computers. The Commissioner also informed the Senate that GNSO had been working to include FTC’s suggestion in its proposal, which will be submitted to the [[ICANN Board]]. In addition, he also encouraged ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee({[[GAC]]) to continuously work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies in their countries regarding the serious outcome of losing access to Whois database in law enforcement and consumer protection. Furthermore, Leibowitz also expressed the interest of FTC to explore the possibility of a tiered access to resolve the issue on consumer privacy and law enforcement. <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/testimony/P035302igovernancefutureicanncommissiontestsenate09202006.pdf FTC Testimony on Internet Governance: The Future of ICANN, September 20, 2006]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/icann.shtm FTC Issues Statement on Whois Databases]</ref>

==References==

==References==