ICANN has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC (PwC) to conduct mandatory background checks on applicants seeking to operate new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in its 2026 application round. The selection establishes the external screening provider responsible for examining applicants’ corporate standing, ownership-related information, and eligibility under the program’s existing rules.

The appointment follows a competitive procurement process. According to ICANN’s October 15 announcement, the organization selected PwC following a request for proposals launched in November 2025. The firm will review individual and organizational information, relevant public records, and applicant compliance with criteria established in the 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook. The appointment does not introduce new eligibility requirements or constitute approval of any application.

Screening is a mandatory part of applicant evaluation. The process is intended to establish whether prospective registry operators meet ICANN’s requirements for corporate standing and suitability. PwC’s responsibilities draw on its corporate intelligence and due diligence capabilities, including investigations involving multiple jurisdictions. ICANN’s original procurement announcement specified that the screening provider must deliver determinations accompanied by supporting rationale. Publicly traded companies listed on the world’s 25 leading stock exchanges may qualify for a modified screening process.

The checks involve potentially sensitive applicant information. ICANN’s Applicant Guidebook identifies corporate information, applicant contacts, and individuals exercising ultimate control among the categories of information processed during screening. The process can also involve third-party reports based on publicly available information, reputational checks, and sanctions screening. Additional personal information may be requested when initial findings require further examination.

These requirements introduce practical questions about how applicant and ownership information originating in different jurisdictions will be collected, transferred, retained, and protected. The appointment announcement does not separately explain PwC’s operational safeguards for cross-border information handling or the procedures applicants will follow to contest disputed screening findings.

The selection comes after the application window closed in August. ICANN reported receiving more than 1,600 primary applications when submissions ended on August 12, although the final total remained subject to payment verification. The organization subsequently revealed applications on October 7, moving the program into its next stages of review and evaluation.

PwC’s appointment identifies the contractor responsible for a required component of that evaluation. How screening findings are documented, communicated, and challenged will be consequential for applicants whose eligibility depends on information obtained from corporate records and other sources across multiple jurisdictions.