May 2026 - NA-Discuss - lists.icann.org

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

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Nomination of Mohibul Muhmud as NARALO ALAC representative
by Glenn McKnight May 4, 2026

May 4, 2026

Hi All I hereby nominate Mohibul Muhmud for the position of NARALO ALAC position for the forthcoming NARALO election 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*

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Re: **REMINDER** - 2026 leadership elections call for nominations period ends THIS Friday 24, April 2026** Nomination of Ron da Silva as NARALO Chair
by Ron da Silva May 3, 2026

May 3, 2026

Dear all - I accept Judith’s nomination and would be honored to serve. Thank you Judith!. regards, -ron — Executive Management, Corporate Governance, Technology Strategy www.linkedin.com/in/rondasilva +1.703.505.4548 > From: Judith Hellerstein <judith(a)jhellerstein.com <mailto:judith@jhellerstein.com>> > Subject: [NA-Discuss] Re: **REMINDER** - 2026 leadership elections call for nominations period ends THIS Friday 24, April 2026** Nomination of Ron da Silva as NARALO Chair > Date: April 24, 2026 at 12:04:45 AM EDT > To: na-discuss(a)icann.org <mailto:na-discuss@icann.org>, ICANN At-Large Staff <Staff(a)atlarge.icann.org <mailto:Staff@atlarge.icann.org>> > Reply-To: judith(a)jhellerstein.com <mailto:judith@jhellerstein.com> > > Yes sorry about the typo I was nominating Ron as NARALO Chair > > On 4/23/26 10:51 PM, Judith Hellerstein wrote: >> Dear Staff and NARALO Members, >> It is my pleasure to nominate Ron da Silva to be the ALAC Chair. Ron brings a wealth of experience to NARALO. Not only was he a past ICANN Board Member having been nominated by the ASO for two terms, but also is a current Board Member of ARIN and hopes to build on the current NARALO MOU with ARIN and strengthen our ties with them. He was also past chair of the Loudon County Communications Commission so will be able to bring this expertise to NARALO. While on the ICANN Board Ron chaired the Finance Committee and several other committees. Besides this Managerial and Governance experience, Ron also brings a deep technical expertise to the position. Lastly, Ron brings an inclusive style to NARALO encouraging others to get involved and share their expertise. This includes reaching out to all the ALSes and Individual members and hearing what their interests and concerns are and help them get more involved in NARALO. >> I believe Ron's inclusive style of chairing will serve NARALO well and look forward to working with him. >> >> On 4/22/26 8:07 PM, Michelle DeSmyter via NA-Discuss wrote: >>> 📣📣**REMINDER that the 2026 leadership elections call for nominations period ends THIS Friday 24, April 2026**📣📣 >>> On behalf of Jonathan Zuck, ALAC Chair, we would like to announce that the 2026 call for nominations for At-Large leadership positions in NARALO is now open. >>> Positions Open: >>> Please refer to the 2026 ALAC and RALO Elections, Selections, and Appointments Workspace <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/964296716/2…>and NARALO Regional Selection 2026 workspace <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/985202728/2…> for a comprehensive list of all available positions, their criteria and job descriptions, and whether current holders of the positions are eligible for re-selection. >>> Selection Schedule for ALAC Members, RALO Leadership, and ALAC Delegates to the NomCom: >>> >>> · 10 April 2026 - Announcement of call for nominations and Nominee's Statement.* (NARALO rules require a call for nominations of 30 days before the start of elections on 11 May - NARALO’s call for nominations begins on 10 April 2026) >>> · 10 April - 24 April 2026 - Nomination period >>> · 1 May 2026 - Deadline for nomination acceptances. Candidate statements should be submitted no later than 5 May 2025. >>> · 4 May 2016 - 7 May 2026- Calls with the candidates if desired by the RALOs. >>> · 11 May 2026 - 15 May 2026 - Elections (If required, elections will begin no later than one week after the deadline for nomination acceptances and end no later than two weeks after that deadline). >>> · 2026 AGM [ ICANN87] - Newly elected ALAC Members and RALOs Leaders shall be seated at the end of the 2026 AGM following the close of the Board Meeting on 22 October 2026. >>> >>> Process for Nominations: >>> Nominations including self-nominations, must be made directly to the relevant RALO mailing list and by sending a note to At-Large Staff <http://staff@atlarge.icann.org/>. >>> All nominees are expected to submit a brief statement explaining why they believe they are a suitable candidate to At-Large Staff <http://staff@atlarge.icann.org/>. All nominees must also complete or update their Statement of Interest (see: At-Large New SOIs Workspace <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99546548/At…>). >>> IMPORTANT: Criteria for NomCom Delegates >>> Please note: RALOs may recommend one or more candidates to the ALAC. The appointment of NomCom delegates is carried out by the ALAC. Therefore, RALO recommendations are not binding >>> Specific criteria and requirements regarding the NomCom composition and NomCom delegates are outlined in the ICANN Bylaws in Article 8 <https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en/#article8>. >>> Also, please read the Job Description for NomCom Delegates. >>> Many thanks for your attention to this call for nominations for At-Large leadership positions. >>> Regards, >>> At-Large staff

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Re: Announcement - NARALO 2026 Leadership elections - Nomination of Eduardo Diaz Rivera
by Alfredo Calderon May 1, 2026

May 1, 2026

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