ICANN approves governance updates and key operational decisions at March 2026 Board meeting
ICANN’s Board has adopted a series of decisions affecting internet governance processes, technical operations, and preparations for the next domain name expansion round.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved a set of resolutions during its Board meeting on 12 March 2026, covering governance rules, technical contracts, and preparations for the next expansion of internet domain names.
One of the key decisions updates how stakeholder groups within ICANN can change their internal rules, known as charters. These groups are part of ICANN’s policy-making system for domain names. The revised process is intended to make it easier to update governance rules while allowing earlier involvement from ICANN’s organisation.
The Board also approved several operational contracts. These include agreements for interpretation services at ICANN meetings, which enable participants to follow discussions in multiple languages, and contracts for cybersecurity tools to strengthen protection against online threats. Additional decisions relate to managing ICANN’s financial assets and selecting a venue for a future global meeting in 2027.
A significant decision concerns access to domain registration data. The Board chose not to adopt a previously proposed system, known as the System for Standardized Access/Disclosure (SSAD), which was intended to regulate how third parties, such as law enforcement, request access to non-public domain registration information. Instead, the Board called for further policy work, based on lessons learned from a pilot system already in operation.
The Board also approved a standard contract that future operators of new domain names will need to sign. This agreement sets out technical, operational, and compliance requirements for running a domain registry, including rules related to security and data access.
In addition, the Board authorised funding and contract extensions for external service providers supporting the 2026 round of new domain names. These providers handle tasks such as evaluating applications, checking for conflicts between domain names, and ensuring that applicants meet financial and technical requirements.
Overall, the decisions focus on preparing the technical, legal, and organisational framework needed for the next round of domain name expansion, while also updating internal governance processes and operational systems.
