The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is seeking input on a proposed amendment to Section 4.1 of the ICANN Bylaws. The proposed Bylaws amendment sets out the process through which the ICANN community can limit access to ICANN's Reconsideration Request and Independent Review Processes (collectively, "Accountability Mechanisms") in specific circumstances, and in a streamlined manner. The proposed amendment outlines thresholds for broad community consensus and procedural protections for use. Specifically:
- The amendment creates a procedure for the ICANN community to limit or make unavailable the Reconsideration Request process or the Independent Review Process set forth in Article 4, Sections 4.2 and 4.3, of the ICANN Bylaws.
- If a community recommendation is made through the proposed process, and the ICANN Board approves that recommendation, the implementation of any limitation can then occur without requiring a separate Fundamental Bylaws Amendment process to embed that change within the ICANN Bylaws.
- The proposed threshold for establishing broad community support is that all three of the following conditions be met:
- The recommendation for use of the amendment stems from a Cross-Community Working Group (CCWG) chartered by at least five of the seven Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs).
- At least four of the CCWG's chartering SOs and ACs are Decisional Participants within the Empowered Community.
- Each of the chartering SOs and ACs approves the CCWG's recommendation to limit or restrict access to one or more of the Accountability Mechanisms.
The Public Comment period will be open for 48 days. For more information and to participate in this proceeding, please visit this webpage.
Submissions Opening Date: Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Submissions Closing Date: Monday, 15 April 2024