I am very concerned about the new proposals concerning the relationship between ICANN and Verisign, announced on 3rd January.
Of most concern is the autocratic approach being taken. It appears that, once again, ICANN is ignoring market feedback, as it in mid-2019.
Furthermore, as I understand it, these new changes have been proposed in secret, without any consultation with the ICANN community and Internet users.
ICANN's mission should be to best serve the needs of its customers - and that can only be achieved via consultations and actions based feedback.
Also, the idea of Verisign becoming a domain registrar, either directly or indirectly is shockingly wrong. That this concession by ICANN is accompanied by an additional $20 million funding from Versign over five years - with no clearly identified purpose for the funds - as far as I am aware - raises all sorts of nefarious possibilities. Whatever the reality, at the very least, the optics look damned awful.
PLEASE be more open and listen to the ICANN community! We have no alternatives, so it is absolutely essential that you listen, listen, listen - and act accordingly.
Thanks for your attention.