I have a similar but mildly modified comment to Steve's which is that I cannot stress well enough that the word "Urgent" should be avoided in lieu of some other specific term for these imminent situations requiring this expedient handling, preferably used only for these types of requests so that they can be filtered for prompt handling.
something like
"Crisis RDPIRT Handling Request""Critical RDPIRT Exigent Matter"
My rationale for this recommendation is that >98% of matters sent to registrars are labelled with "Urgent" and its over-use would create a layer of noise that I fear a valid requestor's legitimate contact requiring the level urgency of handling currently being litigated here in the IRT could get lost in that noise if it were simply labelled 'urgent'.
It would be bad for those 2 or 3 annual situations across the industry where use cases related to this matter actually might arise to not have them receive due care over being labelled in a manner that camouflages them.
-Jothan
Jothan Frakes
Tel: +1.206-355-0230
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On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM Steve Crocker via IRT.RegDataPolicy <irt.regdatapolicy@icann.org> wrote:Isabelle and IRT colleagues,
I continue to object to the use of the term "urgent" and the reference in the definition to "imminent." The timeline is not consistent with these words. The use of the word "urgent" in the title creates a misunderstanding and incorrect expectations. The definition "Urgent Request" makes it clear the request is important. It's widely understood that importance and urgency are distinct, and should not be conflated. Accordingly, a more accurate title would be "Important Requests from Authorized Law Enforcement Authorities."
Perhaps at some future time there will be policy and implementation changes that provide responses in seconds or minutes. At that point, the use of the word "urgent" will be fitting. If "urgent" is used for the requests as defined in this draft, what word will be available to use when responses are available a thousand times faster? Perhaps truly urgent?
Steve
On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM Isabelle Colas-Adeshina via IRT.RegDataPolicy <irt.regdatapolicy@icann.org> wrote:Dear IRT,
Thank you for the productive discussion during our IRT session on August 6. As discussed, ICANN org has taken into consideration the proposals received, as well as the feedback and concerns raised. Based on this consideration, please find an updated ICANN org proposal for an Urgent Request timeline.
The proposal in blue, which is a combination of the different proposals and feedback received includes:
- A new definition for Authenticated Requestors, along with a proposed edit to the Urgent Requests definition.
- A new section in the Registration Data Policy - Section 10.7, which includes the proposed Urgent Request timeline.
- A new implementation note K.
For each proposed change, I have provided a brief rationale for its inclusion. Please take the time to review and discuss the language with your stakeholder groups and provide feedback directly on the document by the end of the day Monday, September 9.
If you would like further context on the rationale and thought process behind the proposed language, I have attached a rationale paper, which outlines ongoing IRT discussions regarding Urgent Requests and provides additional context behind the proposed language from ICANN org. Please note that the rationale paper is provided for informational purposes only, and I suggest that the IRT focus their feedback on the proposed language itself.
As we approach our fifth Urgent Request IRT session, please keep in mind that the Urgent Request discussions were intended to be limited in nature. Therefore, our goal is to finalize and reach an agreement on a proposed timeline during the upcoming session. In light of this, I will schedule a 90-minute Urgent Request session on September 10.
I will also schedule a tentative 90-minute session on September 24, which will serve as a placeholder for this group only if we determine that additional time is needed to reach a conclusion.
As the aim is to reach alignment during the first 90-minute session, it is important that you provide feedback on the proposal, including potential solutions, so we, as a group, can be well-prepared to discuss it further in the coming weeks.
August 20205 Proposed Urgent Request Language
I look forward to discussing with you all soon.
Kind Regards,
Isabelle
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Isabelle Colas-Adeshina
Sr. Manager, Policy Research & Stakeholder Programs
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
Los Angeles, CA
Mobile: +1 310 266 7469
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