ICANN83 Preview: Critical Topics Driving Internet Policy

ICANN83, the 2025 Policy Forum in Prague, serves as a working event for implementing policy and fostering cross-community engagement. If you are unfamiliar, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, is the organization that coordinates the assignment of domain names and IP addresses on the Internet. Key themes expected to be discussed in this session include progress on the implementation of the next round of new gTLDs, the impact of NIS2 across Europe, and evolving compliance and DNS abuse strategies.

In this post, we explore three key topics: the New gTLD Program, geopolitical developments, and DNS abuse updates, and share highlights of what you can expect from the sessions in Prague.

Can’t join us in Prague? Register for our recap webinar on June 26, 2025.

Next round of new gTLDs: Making forward progress

The New gTLD Program remains on track for its April 2026 launch. This program allows businesses, governments, and communities to apply for their own new top-level domains, with key systems and processes well underway:

• Applicant Guidebook (AGB): The complete draft was released on May 30, 2025, opening a 54-day public comment period (through July 23). The finalized AGB and Base Registry Agreement are expected to be finalized by December 2025.
• Applicant Support Program (ASP): Open until November 2025, ASP has seen 44 applications in progress, significantly more than the 2012 round. Capacity-building efforts now include a tutorial webinar, multilingual support, and a new pro bono mentor list.
• Registry Service Provider (RSP) Program: Technical evaluation of applications is underway, with the RST 2.0 testing platform scheduled to launch in July 2025. The first list of approved RSPs is scheduled for release in December 2025.
• Application Journey and Readiness: ICANN has introduced a high-level roadmap and new readiness materials, including plain-language guides, FAQs, and language translations, to support all applicants.

At ICANN83: Expect sessions addressing the AGB public comment process, sessions working on updates to the Base Registry Agreement, and a focus on helping applicants prepare for the next round.

Want to follow this issue at ICANN? Consider attending these sessions:

• Subpro IRT (subsequent procedures implementation review team) Work Session 1: This session will focus on working on updates to the Base Registry Agreement.
• GAC (government advisory committee) discussion on new gTLD program next round: This session will be a discussion between government representatives on several topics about the next round of new gTLDs
• DotBrand use cases and key insights for the next round GNSO (generic names supporting organization) RYSG (Registry stakeholder group) BRG (brand registry group): This session will be an opportunity to hear from current DotBrand owners who will share a wide range of use cases and how best to prepare for the next round.

NIS2 Directive Implementation and Geopolitical Context

The Network and Information Systems 2 Directive, or NIS2, is the European Union’s updated cybersecurity rulebook, focusing on ensuring that digital systems and networks are better protected in every member country. The implementation of the EU’s NIS2 Directive is progressing unevenly. As of May 2025:

• Only 8 member states have fully transposed the directive, while 19 received formal notices for non-compliance. National deviations—especially those related to Article 28 (registration data access)—are emerging, affecting domain name stakeholders.
• Access Mechanisms: Some states enforce strict criteria for legitimate access to domain data (e.g., urgent requests must be addressed within 24–72 hours), while others take a more flexible approach.
• The European Commission is monitoring transposition and has initiated infringement proceedings.
• Cybersecurity Act Review: Stakeholder consultation for the EU’s cybersecurity framework review is ongoing, with final proposals expected in Q4 2025.

At ICANN83: While we don’t expect to see any sessions dedicated explicitly to NIS2, there will be d At iscussions focusing on other geopolitical developments. Specifically, there is a session that focuses on the WSIS+20 (World Summit on the Information Society +20 years), which is a review process launched by the United Nations to evaluate the progress made in implementing the outcomes of the original WSIS, which may have broader implications for ICANN.

If you want to learn more about the recent NIS2 developments, there was an excellent ICANN Prep week session on the topic, the recording of which can be found here: https://icann83.sched.com/event/23LLT/geopolitical-legislative-and-regulatory-developments-update 

DNS Abuse and Contractual Compliance Updates

ICANN’s April 2024 contractual amendments have strengthened enforcement mechanisms against DNS abuse. As of April 2025, ICANN’s Contractual Compliance department reported receiving 536 DNS abuse-related complaints against registrars, with 518 cases resolved before initiating formal inquiries.

The INFERMAL Report, discussed broadly at ICANN82 (download our guide to ICANN82 here), highlighted key factors contributing to DNS abuse, including discounted domain pricing, public APIs facilitating bulk registrations, and bundled free services. The report emphasized that proactive measures, such as upfront verification, are more effective than reactive takedowns.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. A study by the indicated that as of March 2025, only 22% of DNS abuse incidents were mitigated within 24 hours, falling short of the expectations set by many in the ICANN community.

At ICANN83: Discussions will focus on enhancing DNS abuse mitigation strategies, including:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of current contractual compliance measures.
• Exploring how policy could play a role in DNS abuse prevention.
• Assessing the balance between contactability and identity verification.

Want to follow this issue at ICANN? Consider attending these sessions:

• Contracted Parties House (CPH) DNS Abuse Community Update: This session will be focused on work being done to date by the registries and registrars to address DNS abuse
• Government Advisory Committee (GAC) discussion on WHOIS and Registration Data Issues: This session will feature a broad discussion on WHOIS/Registration Data policy, including the future of the RDRS, and considerations for advancing future policy work on data accuracy.
• At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) and ICANN’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) Policy Session: the focus of this session will be a discussion of DNS abuse mitigation and two ICANN-backed initiatives (INFERMAL and Domain Metrica)