Changes

In May, 2011, Kroes and [[Larry Strickling]], Assistant Secretary of the [[DOC|U.S Department of Commerce]]'s [[NTIA|National Telecommunications and Information Administration]] (NTIA) met and agreed to continue to support [[ICANN]], however they demanded internet governance reforms to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the organization. Both officials pointed out that the internet governing body needs to address the issues and consider the recommendations of [[GAC|Governmental Advisory Committee]] (GAC) regarding the new gTLD expansion program.<ref>[http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/227815/eu_us_call_for_icann_internet_governance_reforms.html EU, US Call for ICANN Internet Governance Reforms]</ref> Prior to this meeting, Kroes sent a letter to DOC Secretary [[Gary Locke]] regarding ICANN's approval of the [[.xxx]] [[sTLD]]. In her letter, Ms. Kroes pointed out that the ICANN Board did not seek the advice of its own [[SSAC|Security & Stability Advisory Committee]] regarding the possibility that some countries would block the .xxx TLD. According to her, the issue is a major policy concern that needs to be addressed because it affects not only the stability of the global Internet but also freedom of expression and Internet censorship. She believed that ICANN's disregard for advice from its GAC may be "detrimental to the multi-stakeholder, private sector-led model." <ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/06/kroes-letter-locke-xxx Kroes letter to Locke re: dot-xxx]</ref> In response, Strickling informed Kroes that the United States government does not support ICANN's approval of the .xxx TLD, however he explained that over-turning the organizations decision would not provide a long term benefit for the for the United States and the global internet community. Mr. Strickling emphasized that the United States' goal is to preserve the global Internet, promote innovation, economic growth and the free flow of information. He agreed with Neelie Kroes that ICANN acted without the full support of the internet community and noted that he is dedicated to encouraging ICANN to improve its ability to respond to the concerns of all stakeholders and governments around the world. As member of the [[ATRT|Accountability and Transparency Review Team]] (ATRT), Larry Strickling said that he is recommending pertinent improvements to ICANN's transparency and governance.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/20/strickling-letter-kroes-xxx Strickling letter to Kroes re: dot-xxx]</ref>

In May, 2011, Kroes and [[Larry Strickling]], Assistant Secretary of the [[DOC|U.S Department of Commerce]]'s [[NTIA|National Telecommunications and Information Administration]] (NTIA) met and agreed to continue to support [[ICANN]], however they demanded internet governance reforms to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the organization. Both officials pointed out that the internet governing body needs to address the issues and consider the recommendations of [[GAC|Governmental Advisory Committee]] (GAC) regarding the new gTLD expansion program.<ref>[http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/227815/eu_us_call_for_icann_internet_governance_reforms.html EU, US Call for ICANN Internet Governance Reforms]</ref> Prior to this meeting, Kroes sent a letter to DOC Secretary [[Gary Locke]] regarding ICANN's approval of the [[.xxx]] [[sTLD]]. In her letter, Ms. Kroes pointed out that the ICANN Board did not seek the advice of its own [[SSAC|Security & Stability Advisory Committee]] regarding the possibility that some countries would block the .xxx TLD. According to her, the issue is a major policy concern that needs to be addressed because it affects not only the stability of the global Internet but also freedom of expression and Internet censorship. She believed that ICANN's disregard for advice from its GAC may be "detrimental to the multi-stakeholder, private sector-led model." <ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/06/kroes-letter-locke-xxx Kroes letter to Locke re: dot-xxx]</ref> In response, Strickling informed Kroes that the United States government does not support ICANN's approval of the .xxx TLD, however he explained that over-turning the organizations decision would not provide a long term benefit for the for the United States and the global internet community. Mr. Strickling emphasized that the United States' goal is to preserve the global Internet, promote innovation, economic growth and the free flow of information. He agreed with Neelie Kroes that ICANN acted without the full support of the internet community and noted that he is dedicated to encouraging ICANN to improve its ability to respond to the concerns of all stakeholders and governments around the world. As member of the [[ATRT|Accountability and Transparency Review Team]] (ATRT), Larry Strickling said that he is recommending pertinent improvements to ICANN's transparency and governance.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/20/strickling-letter-kroes-xxx Strickling letter to Kroes re: dot-xxx]</ref>

In June, 2011, Ms. Kroes expressed her disappointment regarding ICANN’s decision to implement the new gTLD program because it failed to address the public policy concerns raised by the [[European Commission]] and United States government regarding competition, particularly on the issue of cross-ownership between [[Registry|Registries]] and [[Registrar]]s. According to her, the “ICANN Board failed to provide responses on how it intended to address these concerns. ICANN went ahead and adopted its new guidelines.” She also noted that it was the “second time in a row that the ICANN Board disregards governmental advice on public policy issues.”  The first incident was ICANN’s approval of the [[.xxx]] top level domain name ([[TLD]]) in March, 2011. Neelie Kroes pointed out that, “The lack of an adequate response on the part of the ICANN Board clearly points to some deficiencies in the current functioning of the model. This calls for specific actions in order to remedy the situation.”<ref>

In June, 2011, Ms. Kroes expressed her disappointment regarding ICANN’s decision to implement the new gTLD program because it failed to address the public policy concerns raised by the [[European Commission]] and United States government regarding competition, particularly on the issue of cross-ownership between [[Registry|Registries]] and [[Registrar]]s. According to her, the “[[ICANN Board]] failed to provide responses on how it intended to address these concerns. ICANN went ahead and adopted its new guidelines.” She also noted that this action represents the “second time in a row that the ICANN Board disregards governmental advice on public policy issues.”  The first incident was ICANN’s approval of the [[.xxx]] [[sTLD|sponsored top level domain name]] (sTLD) in March, 2011. Neelie Kroes pointed out that, “The lack of an adequate response on the part of the ICANN Board clearly points to some deficiencies in the current functioning of the model. This calls for specific actions in order to remedy the situation.”<ref>

[http://www.ip-watch.org/2011/06/22/eus-kroes-not-amused-by-icann-decision-on-tlds/ EU’s Kroes Not Amused By ICANN Decision On New TLDs]</ref>

[http://www.ip-watch.org/2011/06/22/eus-kroes-not-amused-by-icann-decision-on-tlds/ EU’s Kroes Not Amused By ICANN Decision On New TLDs]</ref>