News Review: ICANN Accountability WS2 & Consensus 'ICANN Style'

Domain Mondo's weekly review of internet domain news:

First Feature • ICANN accountability workstream 2 (WS2) Dashboard--The ICANN Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability (CCWG-Accountability) Work Stream 2 (WS2) is "focused on addressing accountability topics for which a timeline for developing solutions and full implementation may extend beyond the IANA Stewardship Transition."--here's the latest WS2 subgroups progress update from ICANN:

CCWG-Accountability Workstream 2 Dashboard (pdf) (Dec 2016, updated 11 Jan 2017) embed:

Second Feature • Consensus 'ICANN Style'

Decision-Making Methodologies:In developing its Proposal(s), work plan and any other reports, the CCWG-Accountability shall seek to act by consensus. Consensus calls should always make best efforts to involve all members (the CCWG-Accountability or sub-working group). The Chair(s) shall be responsible for designating each position as having one of the following designations:
a) Full Consensus - a position where no minority disagrees; identified by an absence of objection; b) Consensus – a position where a small minority disagrees, but most agree. In the absence of Full Consensus, the Chair(s) should allow for the submission of minority viewpoint(s) and these, along with the consensus view, shall be included in the report.
In a rare case, the chair(s) may decide that the use of a poll is reasonable to assess the level of support for a recommendation. However, care should be taken in using polls that they do not become votes, as there are often disagreements about the meanings of the poll questions or of the poll results.
Any member who disagrees with the consensus-level designation made by the Chair(s), or believes that his/her contributions are being systematically ignored or discounted should first discuss the circumstances with the relevant sub-group chair or the CCWG-Accountability co-chairs. In the event that the matter cannot be resolved satisfactorily, the group member should request an opportunity to discuss the situation with the Chairs of the chartering organizations or their designated representatives.

How does this play out in reality? Here's a snapshot: Jurisdiction Meeting #16 (10 January @ 13:00 UTC) chat transcript--"threaten me that we have consensus or nothing, and I will join the objectors"--

Note that the Jurisdiction subgroup is "behind schedule, but recovery is still possible" according to the subgroup progress update graphic at the top of this post.

Other Internet Domain News:

• Neustar acquisition: Friday (Jan. 13) was the preliminary proxy and FCC filing deadline for the Golden Gate acquisition of Neustar (neustar.biz | NYSE:NSR), a domain registry services and technology company. The go-shop also expired Friday (no alternative bids anticipated according to SeekingAlpha.com).

• Rebrand--New Domain Name--Yahoo! Inc. will be changing its name to Altaba Inc., a portmanteau of "alternative" and "Alibaba" and has registered the domain name altaba.com:

The name change is required because Yahoo's operating businesses are being sold to Verizon which will retain the Yahoo! brand. See also: Marissa Mayer to Leave Yahoo Board | WSJ.com.

• Domain Register Pty Ltd accused of conning millions of dollars from unsuspecting businesses ... | HeraldSun.com

• Nigeria’s .NG suffers patronage, as firms, others adopt foreign domain names | guardian.ng

• Where is the most affordable internet in Africa? | Quartz | qz.com: If you want affordable internet in Africa, move to a country on the coast.

• Obama Opens NSA’s Vast Trove of Warrantless Data to Entire Intelligence Community, Just in Time for Trump | TheIntercept.com

• The 13th Annual State of the Net Conference | StateoftheNet.org will be held on January 23rd at the Newseum’s Knight Conference Center, Washington, D.C. More info here. On Twitter: @SOTN #sotn

• Real Innovation and Domain Names--Startups overwhelmingly choose .COM domains--Which Extension Was Most Popular With Startups in 2016? | NamePros.com.

• ICANN FY17 Q2 Stakeholder Call, 15 February 2017 at 15:00 UTC. "The call will focus on how ICANN has implemented community policy for the quarter ending 31 December 2016. The call will also provide an Africa and Middle East update, as part of a new format aimed at spotlighting regional activities." Click here to register for the call and to receive joining instructions. If you are unable to access the form, email ICANN [ icann.communications @ icann.org ] to register with your full name and an email address.

• ICANN Policy staff will be holding its annual Policy Workshop in Los Angeles from Monday 23 January 2017 to Friday 27 January 2017. Staff will be replying to email requests, but there will be delays.--GNSO SO/AC Support

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2017-01-15

News Review: ICANN Accountability WS2 & Consensus 'ICANN Style'

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