The Freename Forum

The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation has intervened with the Internet registry ICANN regarding the suspension of .aero domains. In a letter dated 7 June 2024, Deputy Director Andrei Zhivov points out that the US-based .aero registry Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautique (SITA) has stopped accepting registrations or renewals from domain holders based in the Russian Federation since 10 November 2023. This affects 400 Russian domain holders, including over 30 airports and 15 airlines, who will now have to switch to other domains. SITA is basing the suspension on government sanctions imposed after the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine; according to the Russian interpretation, however, domains are exempt under the ‘General Licence No. 25C3, para (b) of the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list’, which is why SITA is acting arbitrarily. ICANN did not respond to the content of the complaint, but merely stated: ‘If you believe the registry operator has failed to comply with any of the obligations set forth by the .aero Top-Level Domain (TLD) Sponsorship Agreement, you may consider submitting a complaint to Contractual Compliance’. According to the latest available figures, a good 13,300 .aero domains are currently registered.

The letter from Russia can be found at:
https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/c ... n24-en.pdf

The Russian Federation is confronting the Internet Governance: in a statement on the nTLD program, the Russian government is calling on ICANN to become more independent from the USA.

Since July 24, 2024, the public has had the opportunity to comment on ICANN's formulation proposals regarding the support of applicants for a new top-level domain (Next Round Applicant Support Program, ASP for short) and the evaluation of Registry Service Providers (RSP). While the ASP provides for financial and non-financial support for eligible companies in the context of an nTLD application, the RSP is intended to check whether a provider has the technical qualifications to operate a top level domain; both parts are then to be included in the applicant handbook. As a rule, the number of comments received is limited, as was the case this time; ICANN reported a total of four submissions from the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), the Registrars Stakeholder Group (RrSG), the Registries Stakeholder Group (RySG) and another person named Paul McGrady, all of whom submitted minor suggestions for changes. At the very end, however, there is a statement submitted by the Russian Federation, which has little to do with the actual topic of the hearing; despite the deadline for comments having expired, it was taken into account by ICANN.

In the introduction, Russia emphasizes that the Internet has developed into a powerful medium for connecting people all over the world. Its benefits extend to areas such as education, research and business, making it an indispensable tool in everyday life. One of the most important aspects of the internet is its inclusivity, in order to break down barriers and promote equality. Incompatible with this is the declaration required of every applicant under the nTLD program to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, “including those economic, financial, and trade restrictions imposed, administered or enforced by the U.S. government, including but not limited to those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (”Economic Sanctions“)”. They would therefore like to point out two problems, firstly ICANN's dependence on decisions by a single national government, and secondly the restrictions on access to the nTLD program for some applicants, which violates the principle of non-discriminatory access and inclusivity. ICANN is therefore obliged to take measures to minimize the risks of non-discriminatory access to the nTLD program. No single state or group of states should have the right to interfere with the operation of critical Internet infrastructure and/or ICANN's activities, including the mechanisms for legal regulation of ICANN's activities. All participants in the Internet ecosystem would have the right to cooperate with ICANN independently of any state influence. They also have a right to impartial dispute resolution. These rights must be respected. Russia is therefore calling on ICANN to develop proposals that can reduce ICANN's dependence on a single state - i.e. the USA - and to provide for measures that ensure the inclusion and equal participation of applicants from all countries.

It had previously become known that the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation had intervened with ICANN over the suspension of .aero domains. Since November 10, 2023, the US-based .aero registry Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautique (SITA) no longer accepts registrations or renewals from domain holders based in the Russian Federation. In principle, domain registration services are supposed to be exempt from the sanctions imposed in the wake of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, but some registries and registrars are probably afraid of the long arm of the US government. The war has finally arrived in the Domain Name System.

You can find the statement from the Russian Federation at:
https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/mult ... 024-en.pdf