Wait and see approach on abuse attracts ICANN Stakeholder attention:

A few weeks ago I made a detailed argument as to why product safety applies to domains, just like it does to cars and high chairs. I also argued that good products equal good business or “economically advantaged” in the long run. Then I really made a strong statement, I said if we don’t actively engage other Internet stakeholders—those that interact with our products, we would eventually lose the opportunity to self-regulate.

Currently there is a volunteer group (Spec 11 Security Framework) discussing and working out what details need to go into abuse monitoring, reporting, and actions taken. ICANN has recently released a draft framework document to the group’s mailing list (not posted on the ICANN site as of yet). Currently Spec 11 requires the Registry Operator to monitor and analyse abuse, keeping reports for a period of time. It lacks implementation details, and a defined form for that reporting. Now, to their credit, most Registry Operators are trying to fulfil this requirement in anticipation of those details—some actually have proactive abuse management programs—but some are taking a wait and see approach.

The wait and see approach is already stirring up other ICANN stakeholders—see letter to the ICANN board.

The Spec 11 Security Framework effort is a chance to bring the stakeholders together and ensure domain names are a responsible consumer product. The consequences of failure will have dire impacts to both Internet users, and those managing domains names—involvement is key.