Published By: The Washington Post, 9/30/2016

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Summary

The contract that specified the U.S. government’s oversight over Internet address assignment has expired and ICANN (an international NGO) now has full control. ICANN holds the responsibility to protect the integrity, freedom, and security of the domain name system and IP address assignment. ICANN’s decisions thus have the potential to affect the communications of Internet users around the world.

Content Advisory

The article mentions the top-level domain .sex.

Extended Discussion Questions

• What affects do you think the removal of U.S. government oversight could have on the Internet? Why do you think this could happen?
• The article quotes differing opinions from Garth Bruen and Matthew Shears about the change. Which opinion do you support more, and why?
• As a user of the Internet, do you feel this event will change the way you personally use the Internet? Do you feel safer about sharing your information on the Internet, are you more wary of doing so, or neither? Why?

Relating This Story to the CSP Curriculum Framework

Global Impact Learning Objectives:

• LO 7.4.1 Explain the connections between computing and real-world contexts, including economic, social, and cultural contexts.

Global Impact Essential Knowledge:

• EK 7.3.1A Innovations enabled by computing raise legal and ethical concerns.
• EK 7.4.1E Networks and infrastructure are supported by both commercial and governmental initiatives.

Other CSP Big Ideas:

• Idea 6 The Internet

Banner Image: “Network Visualization – Violet – Crop 13”, derivative work by ICSI. New license: CC BY-SA 4.0. Based on “Social Network Analysis Visualization” by Martin Grandjean. Original license: CC BY-SA 3.0