- ALAC - lists.icann.org

Fwd: WEBINAR 21 MAY 14:00 UTC –From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI
by Judith Hellerstein May 14, 2026

May 14, 2026

HI All, Here is the information about the webinar I was mentioning to all today on the OFB Call. it is on May 21 at 1400 UTC. Title is "From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI :. Registration is listed below Please register for Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA> RTT can be found here -- https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=cfi-dcad We will also have Sign interpretation for this event. We hope you will join us on May 21 at 1400 UTC (10am Eastern) . W Best, Judith _________________________________________________________________________ Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO Hellerstein & Associates 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: (202) 362-5139 Skype ID: judithhellerstein Mobile/Whats app: +1202-333-6517 E-mail:Judith@jhellerstein.com Website:www.jhellerstein.com Linked In:www.linkedin.com/in/jhellerstein/ Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide Blue event banner for an Internet Governance Forum accessibility event. The graphic includes the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability logo in the upper left and a large faded GAAD logo with a keyboard icon in the background on the right. The main title reads: “From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI.” The date, 21 May 2026, appears at the lower left. The a11ySIG logo is displayed in the lower right corner. <https://i0.wp.com/www.a11ysig.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/dcad-gaad20…> REGISTER <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA> | REAL TIME TEXT <https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=cfi-dcad> | ADD TO CALENDAR <https://addcal.co/e/dcad-gaad2026> | PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/21073> On Thursday May 21, 2026 at 14:00-15:00 UTC the Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition of Disability and Accessibilit <https://igf-dcad.org/>y (IGF-DCAD) and the Accessibility Special Interest Group <https://www.a11ysig.org/> (A11ySIG) will commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day <https://accessibility.day/> (GAAD) 2026, via webinar conversation with Dr. Vint Cerf titled ‘From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI <https://www.a11ysig.org/gaad2026/%20%E2%80%8E> ‘ Over the past decade, global policy discourse has increasingly focused on expanding “internet access” as a cornerstone of digital inclusion. Yet for persons with disabilities, connectivity alone does not translate into meaningful participation. A user may be connected, possess a device, and have basic digital skills—and still remain excluded due to inaccessible design, incompatible platforms, or poorly implemented technologies. This gap calls for a conceptual shift: from access to agency. At the same time, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into digital ecosystems is reshaping how users interact with technology. AI-powered tools—such as automated captioning, voice interfaces, and assistive agents—hold transformative potential. However, they also introduce new risks, including bias, unreliable outputs, and inaccessible design layers that may deepen exclusion if left unaddressed. Against this backdrop, accessibility must be reframed not as a technical afterthought, but as a governance, rights, and development issue—central to debates on AI, digital public infrastructure, and inclusive innovation. GUEST Dr. Vint Cerf – Chief Internet Evangelist, Google HOSTS Dr. Muhammad Shabbir – Co-cordinator, IGF-DCAD Judith Hellerstein – Co-cordinator, IGF-DCAD #gaad #dcad @a11sig #accessibility #pwds #ai _________________________________________________________________________ Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO Hellerstein & Associates 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: (202) 362-5139 Skype ID: judithhellerstein Mobile/Whats app: +1202-333-6517 E-mail:Judith@jhellerstein.com Website:www.jhellerstein.com Linked In:www.linkedin.com/in/jhellerstein/ Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: WEBINAR 21 MAY 14:00 UTC –From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI--10am Eastern, 7am Pacific Date: Thu, 14 May 2026 13:47:38 -0400 From: Judith Hellerstein <judith(a)jhellerstein.com> Reply-To: judith(a)jhellerstein.com Organization: Hellerstein & Associates To: NA Discuss <na-discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> HI All, I thought NARALO Members might be interested in joining this webinar I am hosting From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI :. Registration is listed below We will have human captioning and also International Sign interpretation for this event. We hope you will join us on May 21 at 1400 UTC (10am Eastern) . We will send the stream text links later. Please register for Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA> Best, Judith _________________________________________________________________________ Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO Hellerstein & Associates 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: (202) 362-5139 Skype ID: judithhellerstein Mobile/Whats app: +1202-333-6517 E-mail:Judith@jhellerstein.com Website:www.jhellerstein.com Linked In:www.linkedin.com/in/jhellerstein/ Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [DCAD] WEBINAR 21 MAY 14:00 UTC – GAAD Event – From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI Date: Tue, 12 May 2026 22:22:05 -0400 From: Joly MacFie via DCAD <dcad(a)lists.igf-dcad.org> Reply-To: Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability <dcad(a)lists.igf-dcad.org> To: Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability <dcad(a)lists.igf-dcad.org> CC: Joly MacFie <admin(a)igf-dcad.org> Blue event banner for an Internet Governance Forum accessibility event. The graphic includes the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability logo in the upper left and a large faded GAAD logo with a keyboard icon in the background on the right. The main title reads: “From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI.” The date, 21 May 2026, appears at the lower left. The a11ySIG logo is displayed in the lower right corner. <https://i0.wp.com/www.a11ysig.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/dcad-gaad20…> REGISTER <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KFURWYPUR1y838puqmLxpA> | REAL TIME TEXT <https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=cfi-dcad> | ADD TO CALENDAR <https://addcal.co/e/dcad-gaad2026> | PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/21073> On Thursday May 21, 2026 at 14:00-15:00 UTC the Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition of Disability and Accessibilit <https://igf-dcad.org/>y (IGF-DCAD) and the Accessibility Special Interest Group <https://www.a11ysig.org/> (A11ySIG) will commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day <https://accessibility.day/> (GAAD) 2026, via webinar conversation with Dr. Vint Cerf titled ‘From Access to Agency: Rethinking Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in the Age of AI <https://www.a11ysig.org/gaad2026/%20%E2%80%8E> ‘ Over the past decade, global policy discourse has increasingly focused on expanding “internet access” as a cornerstone of digital inclusion. Yet for persons with disabilities, connectivity alone does not translate into meaningful participation. A user may be connected, possess a device, and have basic digital skills—and still remain excluded due to inaccessible design, incompatible platforms, or poorly implemented technologies. This gap calls for a conceptual shift: from access to agency. At the same time, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into digital ecosystems is reshaping how users interact with technology. AI-powered tools—such as automated captioning, voice interfaces, and assistive agents—hold transformative potential. However, they also introduce new risks, including bias, unreliable outputs, and inaccessible design layers that may deepen exclusion if left unaddressed. Against this backdrop, accessibility must be reframed not as a technical afterthought, but as a governance, rights, and development issue—central to debates on AI, digital public infrastructure, and inclusive innovation. GUEST Dr. Vint Cerf – Chief Internet Evangelist, Google HOSTS Dr. Muhammad Shabbir – Co-cordinator, IGF-DCAD Judith Hellerstein – Co-cordinator, IGF-DCAD #gaad #dcad @a11sig #accessibility #pwds #ai -- Joly MacFie Administrator Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability https://igf-dcad.org/ +1 218 565 9365

1 0

Fwd: Please vote for EuroSSIG!
by Wolfgang Kleinwächter May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

1 0

VSIG Group O
by Glenn McKnight May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

*Hi folks* We are looking for anyone interested in doing a LIVE session for our Group O starting in September to November online for Introduction to Internet Governance. We like to reach out to the ATLARGE community if anyone is an experts on Social and Cultural issues as well as Emergent Technologies. Our goal is to provide opportunities for our community experts to have an audience and share their research and work experience. Please contact me if interested I can go over the topic areas Thanks Glenn Glenn McKnight, MA Virtual School of Internet Governance Chief Information Officer www.virtualsig.org *YOUR SOURCE FOR INTERNET GOVERNANCE EDUCATION * *Mobile 437-237-4655*

1 0

SAC 127 and DNS abuse
by Evan Leibovitch May 4, 2026

May 4, 2026

Hi all, Anyone who is following the issue of DNS Abuse, which we have been discussing here, would be well advised to have a look at SSAC 127 <https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/security-and-stability-advisory-committe…> issued last year, on the top of "DNS Blocking Revisited". This one one of the few ICANN documents of which I am aware that deals with personal-level blocking as a way to mitigate abuse as well as state- and infrastructure-level blocking. It spends a useful amount of effort on how end users can implement their own personal "blocking" through VPNs and "Public Resolvers": * Users are aware of the benefits of public DNS resolvers and have been > reconfiguring their systems to leverage these services. This shift has been > fueled by a growing understanding of the potential privacy and performance > advantages that public resolvers offer over default DNS configurations, and > in response to cases of state censorship and the abuse of DNS services > offered by ISPs.* This, to me, offers a rationale on how educating the public - and indeed the broader ICANN community -- about such facilities is directly relevant to ICANN's mission and At-Large's role within it. I note with curiosity the complete lack of mention of one of the main reasons end-users are implementing such services: the blocking of advertising and tracking sites. To many people, myself included, the use of digital fingerprinting and tracking of personal details across different websites is as abusive as phishing and almost as abusive as malware sites. While mention is made of Cloudflare and Canadian Shield, the report completely ignores services such as Control D, Adguard DNS and NextDNS which block ads and trackers as well as more-malicious sites. For some blocking ads is a significant way to speed web-page rendering. And while some may debate the ethics of ad blocking, I am not aware of any jurisdiction in which doing so is illegal. While it speaks of the use of the DNS to block pornography and gambling sites, as well as in-browser checks against malicious sites, oddly SSAC 127 ignores one of the main reasons people search for alternative DNS servers. But except for that notable error of omission, and is a worthwhile read for anyone who cares about what end-users (the ALAC constituency) can do to mitigate DNS abuse ... that is, considering that what constitutes "abuse" is not rigid and many approaches are available. -- Evan Leibovitch, Toronto Canada @evanleibovitch / @el56

6 9

Fwd: [SubPro-IRT] New gTLD Program: 2026 Round now accepting applications
by Justine Chew May 1, 2026

May 1, 2026

*My apologies for the receipt of duplicates or triplicates due to cross posting* For your attention -- 2026 Next Round application submission window is now open and *will close on 12 August 2026*. Kind regards, Justine ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jared Erwin via SubPro-IRT <subpro-irt(a)icann.org> Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 at 01:10 Subject: [SubPro-IRT] New gTLD Program: 2026 Round now accepting applications To: subpro-irt(a)icann.org <subpro-irt(a)icann.org> Dear IRT Members, The New gTLD Program: 2026 Round application submission period is now open. Please see the announcement here: https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-opens-application-wind…. Congrats to all on this tremendous achievement! Best Jared -- Jared Erwin Senior Director, New gTLD Program Global Domains & Strategy (GDS) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) jared.erwin(a)icann.org _______________________________________________ SubPro-IRT mailing list -- subpro-irt(a)icann.org To unsubscribe send an email to subpro-irt-leave(a)icann.org _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

1 0

Studying impact of Alternative Naming Systems on the DNS
by Justine Chew April 28, 2026

April 28, 2026

ICANN org is finally forming a new technical study group (TSG) to understand the implications of integrating a generic top-level domain (gTLD) name with the same name in an alternative naming system. https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/technical-study-group-forming-gtld-i… Kind regards, Justine

1 0

Re: New ICAN CTO Report on the IETF
by Carlton Samuels April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

Dear Olivier: I confess a sleight of hand. I know the substantive arguments yourself and Chris Wilkinson have made over the years on the treatment of the IANA IPR. I know the Sidley Austin memoranda contained, inter alia, the legal framework for the IANA IPR delegation that you have been vocal about; I have curated them on my own system since 2014. You never referred your own paper which, in my IMHO, is a thoughtful and closely reasoned expose of all of the elements and the solution proffered, all in one place. My objective was another posting of your paper. Objective achieved. Carlton ============================== *Carlton A Samuels* *Mobile: 876-818-1799Strategy, Process, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= On Mon, 27 Apr 2026 at 07:45, Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond <ocl(a)gih.com> wrote: > Dear Carlton, > > many thanks for your follow-up. > > I refer you to my document "IANA Intellectual Property: CCG Failures, > Governance Breakdown, Issues and Recommendations" dated 15 April 2026 > (attached, with ZIPs) that I copied to the CPWG and which indeed takes the > two Sidley Austin memos into account. > > I look forward to your further feedback. > Kindest regards, > > Olivier > > On 27/04/2026 02:00, Carlton Samuels wrote: > > Hi Olivier: > For the record - and grist for the mill - see attached, two Sidley Austin > memos to the CCWG: > > 1. Internal accountability/Hybrid models of April 2015 > 2. Regarding IANA Intellectual Property Rights of August 2015 > > Carlton > > ============================== > *Carlton A Samuels* > > *Mobile: 876-818-1799 Strategy, Process, Governance, Assessment & > Turnaround* > ============================= > > > On Sun, 26 Apr 2026 at 11:41, Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond via ALAC < > alac(a)icann.org> wrote: > >> Dear Judith, >> >> thanks for pointing us to this excellent and very helpful paper from >> OCTO. This "taking stock" was very interesting as I was not aware at all >> about the extensive collaboration on so many IETF working groups and I am >> thrilled to see such collaboration happening at all levels. >> >> Part 1 of this paper also has a link to https://pti.icann.org/agreements >> , a web page on the special PTI Web site which shows the extent to which >> the relationship between ICANN, PTI, the IANA functions and the IETF are >> codified as well as monitored, followed and analysed thanks to a set of >> Agreements that are regularly reviewed, amended and updated. You can see >> all of the original documents which the IANA Stewardship Group, some >> drafted with the help of law firm Sidley Austin and will notice that there >> are a number of MoUs that make sure that the matter of PTI and PTI >> operations is not just dropped, since it is a very important function >> indeed. >> >> Part 2 of this paper explains the various "protocol development in IETF >> working groups in 2025 that may be important to those interested in the >> ICANN ecosystem." >> >> Both parts, in my opinion, fall somehow short of achieving their goals as >> both are missing out on some important information, which I would like to >> raise here: >> >> In Part 1 - the OCTO paper confirms the point that I have been making for >> nearly two years: whilst the relationship between ICANN, PTI and "its >> clients" is adequately monitored, tracked, reviewed and enforced through a >> multitude of Agreements shown in the above page, there is absolutely no >> mention of the IANA IPR and the IANA IPR Agreements dated 30 September 2016. >> - There is no tracking of it. >> - There is no formal governance process or oversight in ICANN for >> monitoring, identifying and addressing issues relating to these IPRs >> - There is no community consultation >> - There no service level expectations >> - There is no enforcement >> >> It is a complete barren landscape - and this is one of the main reasons >> why the transfer of IANA IPR from the IETF Trust to the IETF IPMC and other >> important related issues have taken so much time: a complete lack of >> process in ICANN leading to confusion, in addition to potential breaches of >> the IANA IPR Agremeents dated 30 September 2016. >> >> In addition to this, there appears to have been continued opposition from >> ICANN Legal to seeking independent legal advice in relation to the IANA IPR >> Agreements dated 30 September 2016, including but not restricted to in >> respect of the Issues raised in relation to and arising from the IANA IPR >> transfer, the IANA IPR processes, the IANA IPR Agreements and any new IANA >> IPR Agreements, as well as the suitability or unsuitability of the use of >> Novation Agreements given all of the other issues cited. >> >> My submission recommends independent investigation, engagement of >> specialist Counsel (Sidley or Californian Counsel) to prepare an >> independent legal opinion, full community transparency, and the adoption of >> interim protective measures pending the negotiation of replacement >> instruments that genuinely address the governance failures identified. >> >> Is ICANN ready to remedy this failure? >> >> In Part 2 - the OCTO paper focusses solely on *protocol development* in >> IETF working groups. This somehow provides an incomplete picture of the >> extent by which ICANN has links with the IETF, although I do not know >> whether there is a specific reason for focussing solely on protocol >> development. >> >> First, there is the excellent work of the IETF Liaison who does more than >> just follow these working groups. The IETF is regularly informed of ICANN >> Activity through the IETF Liaison and their report to the IETF >> Administration LLC Board and at IETF meetings which goes way further than >> just focussing on matters directly concerning the IETF. >> >> Second, there are other IETF groups that have done work on topics of >> interest both to ICANN and the IETF - for example the IDNA and IDNAbis >> working groups that laid the groundwork for IDNs. >> >> RFCs: >> https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc4690/ in Sept 2006 >> https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc5891/ in Aug 2010 >> >> ICANN has since done a significant amount of work in relation to IDNs, >> especially when it comes to the operation of IDNs, including Label >> Generation Rules for various scripts. Is there a link back to the IETF for >> these? Should there be? Should the ICANN work be codified/recorded as IETF >> RFCs? >> >> Or perhaps those in charge at ICANN see the IETF as only focussing on >> Protocols and implementation is not something that should be addressed at >> the IETF? I wonder if we could ask these questions to OCTO? >> >> Kindest regards, >> >> Olivier >> >> On 21/04/2026 20:26, Judith Hellerstein via ALAC wrote: >> >> HI All, >> >> Thanks to Olivier and Greg for all their hard work on the IETF MOU that >> they put in. I want to call everyone's attention to the new publication >> that David Huberman put out on ICANN's relationship with the IETF. I think >> it was a good paper. >> https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/octo-043-16apr26-en.pdf >> >> He provides a good overview of why ICANN works hard to keep up their >> close partnership with the IETF. In the paper he describes a relationship >> that is not only formal and practical, but also reciprocal. As we all know, >> the Internet’s unique identifier system is defined by IETF standards, and >> IETF participants bring technical expertise into ICANN's multistakeholder >> governance processes. >> >> Since 2025, IETF working groups advanced efforts that have direct >> implications for how the Domain Name System (DNS) operates, from how DNS >> delegations work, to how domain names are provisioned, to how the >> cryptographic algorithms that secure the DNS are managed. This report also >> focuses on and offers a practical overview of what changed, what's coming, >> and why it matters to registry operator, registrar, DNS operator, or anyone >> who depends on the protocols that make the domain name ecosystem function, >> All in all I thought it was a good paper. The technical foundations on >> which the security, stability, and resilience of the Internet’s unique >> identifier system depend on are constantly evolving, and it is important to >> keep abreast of all these issues and why all constituencies within ICANN >> should stay abreast and work closely with the IETF as At Large has done in >> the past >> >> Best, >> >> Judith >> >> -- >> _________________________________________________________________________ >> Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO >> Hellerstein & Associates >> 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008 >> Phone: (202) 362-5139 Skype ID: judithhellerstein >> Mobile/Whats app: +1202-333-6517 >> E-mail: Judith(a)jhellerstein.com Website: www.jhellerstein.com >> Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/jhellerstein/ >> Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ALAC mailing list -- alac(a)icann.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to alac-leave(a)icann.org >> >> At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org >> ALAC Working Wiki: https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(AL… >> _______________________________________________ >> By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ALAC mailing list -- alac(a)icann.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to alac-leave(a)icann.org >> >> At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org >> ALAC Working Wiki: >> https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(AL… >> _______________________________________________ >> By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your >> personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance >> with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and >> the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You >> can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or >> configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or >> disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on. > > > >

1 0

New ICAN CTO Report on the IETF
by Judith Hellerstein April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

HI All, Thanks to Olivier and Greg for all their hard work on the IETF MOU that they put in. I want to call everyone's attention to the new publication that David Huberman put out on ICANN's relationship with the IETF. I think it was a good paper. https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/octo-043-16apr26-en.pdf He provides a good overview of why ICANN works hard to keep up their close partnership with the IETF. In the paper he describes a relationship that is not only formal and practical, but also reciprocal. As we all know, the Internet’s unique identifier system is defined by IETF standards, and IETF participants bring technical expertise into ICANN's multistakeholder governance processes. Since 2025, IETF working groups advanced efforts that have direct implications for how the Domain Name System (DNS) operates, from how DNS delegations work, to how domain names are provisioned, to how the cryptographic algorithms that secure the DNS are managed. This report also focuses on and offers a practical overview of what changed, what's coming, and why it matters to registry operator, registrar, DNS operator, or anyone who depends on the protocols that make the domain name ecosystem function, All in all I thought it was a good paper. The technical foundations on which the security, stability, and resilience of the Internet’s unique identifier system depend on are constantly evolving, and it is important to keep abreast of all these issues and why all constituencies within ICANN should stay abreast and work closely with the IETF as At Large has done in the past Best, Judith -- _________________________________________________________________________ Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO Hellerstein & Associates 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: (202) 362-5139 Skype ID: judithhellerstein Mobile/Whats app: +1202-333-6517 E-mail:Judith@jhellerstein.com Website:www.jhellerstein.com Linked In:www.linkedin.com/in/jhellerstein/ Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide

7 7

SAC130: SSAC Comments on Name Collision Guidelines in the Proposed Language for the Draft Next Round Applicant Guidebook
by Matthias M. Hudobnik April 24, 2026

April 24, 2026

Dear Colleagues, The SSAC welcomes the opportunity to comment on ICANN's Draft Applicant Guidebook (AGB) for the New gTLD Program: Next Round. Our comments focus on improving Section 6.7 on Name Collisions, with an emphasis on risks arising from collisions between DNS and alternative naming systems (e.g., blockchain-based systems), as outlined in the Name Collision Analysis Project Study 2 Report (NCAP2). SUMMARY OF KEY RECOMMENDATIONS: * Clarify TRT's Role in Initial Assessments AGB §6.7.2 does not clearly state that the Technical Review Team (TRT) conducts the initial name collision risk assessment. NCAP2 indicates TRT is responsible from the outset. _Recommendation:_ Explicitly assign the initial assessment to the TRT. * Enable Pre-Delegation Action on High-Risk Strings Current language suggests high-risk strings are identified only after temporary delegation. NCAP2 supports action based on existing data. _Recommendation:_ Allow TRT to recommend withholding delegation if early analysis shows high risk. * Broaden TRT's Assessment Scope Beyond DNS Data Limiting analysis to DNS logs misses collisions from alternative namespaces that resolve via DNS (e.g., users accustomed to _.wallet_ from blockchain). ➤ _Recommendation:_ Permit use of OSINT, qualitative assessments, and external data sources per NCAP2. * Allow TRT Flexibility to Evolve Assessment Methods AGB cites four NCAP2 methods (NI, CI, VI, VIN), but doesn't state whether TRT may adopt new techniques. _Recommendation:_ Affirm TRT's discretion to evolve methods to address future risks. These updates will better align the AGB with NCAP2 and ICANN Board guidance, while improving transparency, security, and technical rigor in handling name collisions. The SSAC appreciates the efforts of the ICANN org and Subsequent Procedures IRT, and we are available for further discussion. Link: https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/security-and-stability-advisory-committe…. Best, Matthias

3 4

Fwd: [SubPro-IRT] Updated ASP Statistics - April 2026
by Justine Chew April 24, 2026

April 24, 2026

FYI. And apologies for receipt of duplicates due to cross posting. Kind regards, Justine --------- ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Samantha Mancia via SubPro-IRT <subpro-irt(a)icann.org> Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026, 23:20 Subject: [SubPro-IRT] Updated ASP Statistics - April 2026 To: subpro-irt(a)icann.org <subpro-irt(a)icann.org> Dear SubPro IRT Members, I hope you are well. I am writing to let you know that the ASP Statistics have been updated on the website <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-…> as of 19 April 2026. Please find a summary of the changes since last month below: *ASP Application Status Metrics* - Submitted - Total: 51 - Change over last month: -6 (status progressed from submitted to evaluation completed) - Evaluation Completed - Total: 25 - Change over last month: +6 - Withdrawn - Total: 2 - Change over last month: N/A - Terminated - Total: 0 - Change over last month: N/A *ASP Applications Evaluation Results* - Conditionally Approved (pending payment) - Total: 3 - Change over last month: -4 (status progressed from conditionally approved to fully approved) - Fully Approved (payment received) - Total: 22 - Change over last month: +10 - Not Eligible for Support* - Total: 0 - Change over last month: N/A *** *Please note that "Not Eligible for Support" includes applications that may still be eligible for extended evaluation, therefore this number could change.* You can find additional detail and breakdowns by region and eligible entity type on the ASP statistics webpage [newgtldprogram.icann.org] <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-…> . Kind Regards, Samantha Mancia New gTLD Program Manager Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Office Telephone: +1 310 301 5800 www.icann.org _______________________________________________ SubPro-IRT mailing list -- subpro-irt(a)icann.org To unsubscribe send an email to subpro-irt-leave(a)icann.org _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

1 0