Latest news with #ICANN
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MeitY supportive of gTLD initiative: ICANN
NEW DELHI: India's central government is supportive of the generic top-level domain (gTLD) initiative, and is helping with outreach programs to grow the awareness of digital branding and security, according to a top executive of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ICANN ). 'The Ministry of Electronics and IT ( MeitY ) has been very supportive. They supported the very first outreach program in November last year,' Samiran Gupta , vice president (stakeholder engagement) & managing director (MD), ICANN Asia Pacific, told ETTelecom in an interview. 'This year, we will have more events co-hosted with the National Internet Exchange of India ( NIXI ), which in its own right, has been very supportive and is keen to see Indian companies be online and protect their online presence,' Gupta added. Delhi-based NIXI acts as an autonomous body for the maintenance of .in domain, and facilitates the exchange of domestic Internet traffic under MeitY. Unlike country-code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs), such as .in , .us , .uk , gTLDs are not tied to a specific country. gTLDs, including .com , .net, and .org , among others, are part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates domain names into IP addresses that are used to locate websites. From the second quarter of the calendar year 2026, the non-profit organisation will open an application submission round under its ' New gTLD Program ', which will allow businesses, digital-first startups, and others to apply for a top-level domain (TLD), enabling them to develop unique branding, such as .brand . 'In 2012, India had 250-300 million internet users, so the concept of a digital presence was still very new. Today, with over 900 million users and a lot of digital-first organisations, one of the main challenges is the presence of counterfeits and people masquerading as a dark brand,' Gupta said, adding that brand protection has assumed significance. Earlier this year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed banks to move their net banking websites to the Internet domain, ' ', by October 31, 2025, as part of efforts to clamp down on online fraud incidents and boost public trust in digital banking. Notably, the State Bank of India (SBI) already has a '. sbi ' presence on the Internet. According to ICANN, these new gTLDs will also pave the way for an inclusive Internet for people who communicate in different languages and scripts that are yet to come online. 'This time around, we are better prepared than in 2012 to have an applicant apply not only in ASCII, but also in Indic, such as the Neobrahmi script, as well as the nine scripts that address the 22 official Indian languages, and ensuring that all of them are available for the next round,' Gupta said. The latest gTLD program is underway again after nearly 13 years and will feature a technically intensive application process. The application fee for the 2012 round of the program was $185,000 (~₹1.6 crore), but this time, the top executive said ICANN will provide some concessions to applicants. 'The ASP (Applicant Support Program) is open till November 19 this year. Eventually, those who qualify through the ASP program will get a reduction of between 75-85% of the application fees,' Gupta said. ASP applicants have to go through a separate application process prior to the main New gTLD Program application submission period, allowing successful ASP applicants to utilise financial and non-financial support offered by ICANN while preparing their gTLD application. These applications are evaluated based on financial need, financial viability, and eligible entity status. Delhi-based brand protection agency, LDotR , in turn, said that brands that have suffered fraud or reputational damage due to lookalike domains are showing a strong willingness to opt for a gTLD. 'If a domain ends in .brand, there's no ambiguity; it's official, and it's safe. At the same time, impersonation remains a big challenge,' Vivek Goyal, co-founder & COO, LDotR, told ETTelecom. 'What we are seeing now is a shift in mindset. Companies are moving from being reactive (filing takedowns, chasing infringers) to being proactive by securing their namespace at the root level with a dot brand,' Goyal said. LDotR's clients include brands in sectors such as job portals, FMCG, fintech, e-commerce, edtech, retail, logistics, and the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi Raises VeriSign (VRSN) Price Target After .com Domain Growth
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) ranks among the . On July 8, Citi reiterated its Buy rating on VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) while increasing the price target from $294 to $330 on the company's shares. Citi noted encouraging domain patterns, stating that .com domains saw year-over-year growth in June for the first time in 15 months of the firm's domain tracking. According to Citi, investors have become more aware of VeriSign's pricing power, which is assured for the next six-year contract period, resulting in a 37.20% increase in shares year-to-date. As domain registrations get closer to the upper end of VeriSign's fiscal year 2025 projection, the firm anticipates that the company will raise its guidance for its 2025 second-quarter earnings report. VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) is a multinational domain name registry and network infrastructure services supplier. The company remains the only registry for the .com and .net domains. Back in November 2024, VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) extended its registry agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the .com domain. The company will continue to operate the .com registry until November 30, 2030. While we acknowledge the potential of VRSN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. Read More: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FairWinds Migrates from .COM to .FAIRWINDS, Showcasing Leadership in Strategic Internet Addressing
WASHINGTON, DC / / July 15, 2025 / FairWinds Partners, the world's leading domain name strategy consultancy, has completed the migration of its website from to "This transition is more than a domain change. It reflects our belief in the future of .BRAND top-level domains," said FairWinds founder Josh Bourne. "Our move to .FAIRWINDS reinforces the strategic value that these top-level domains offer and our evolution from a pioneering domain name advisory firm to the trusted partner for global brands navigating the digital landscape via the address bar." Unlike second-level domains like top-level domains reside on the internet's root servers -- the foundation of the internet's naming system. .BRAND top-level domains are not publicly available and are used exclusively by the brand owner. ".BRAND top-level domains provide a powerful way to amplify, control, and secure a brand's digital presence while giving visitors visual proof of authenticity and safety," said Tom Wells, vice president at FairWinds. Founded in 2006, FairWinds has helped more than 250 clients worldwide build and protect their online presence. The company has helped scores of clients -- including Major League Baseball, Pfizer, Nike, and American Express -- secure .BRAND top-level domains. During the last round of applications for new generic top-level domains from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), FairWinds submitted 133 top-level domain applications on behalf of its clients -- including more .BRANDs than any other advisory firm. FairWinds is the only domain consultancy to invest alongside its clients by securing and operating its own branded top-level domain, .FAIRWINDS. The company has launched .FAIRWINDS as ICANN prepares to receive fresh applications for new generic top-level domains in April 2026 for the first time since 2012. To help brand owners of all kinds -- including corporations, nonprofits, higher-ed institutions, and others -- determine whether they should participate in the upcoming ICANN application window, FairWinds is rolling out its signature SPARK (Strategy, Planning, Application, Registration, and Knowledge) service as well as an educational website with comprehensive information on the process for securing a top-level domain. "FairWinds has played a critical role in establishing .BRAND top-level domains as a trusted and strategic asset for major corporations," Bourne said. "Our migration to places FairWinds among a select group of forward-thinking companies, such as Apple, Barclays, BMW, and Microsoft, that have adopted .BRAND domains as a pillar of their digital strategy."###For media inquiries, please contact Miguel Calle Jaramillo at miguel@ or 202-900-4555. About FairWinds PartnersFairWinds Partners is the leading domain name consultancy that elevates online presence by increasing website traffic, growing revenue, and improving online customer experiences. For more information, visit SOURCE: FairWinds Partners View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ajman University: Sole Middle East Recipient of Prestigious ICANN Grant to develop global internet security system
Ajman, UAE – Ajman University has secured a prestigious international grant from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) worth USD 410,300.00, in the inaugural cycle of the ICANN Grant Program. This competitive international award, secured through the dedicated efforts of Prof. Rao Naveed Bin Rais from the College of Engineering and Information Technology, will support the development of a groundbreaking system to archive and analyze global data related to the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) — a vital cybersecurity protocol that safeguards the integrity of Internet infrastructure. The project aims to build a 24/7 operational platform that analyzes historical DNSSEC data, identifies vulnerabilities, and highlights gaps in its global implementation. This first-of-its-kind system will offer diagnostic tools with visual analysis, helping enhance DNSSEC adoption worldwide. Ajman University is the only institution in the Middle East to receive this grant, and one of just 23 selected entities out of 247 global applicants. Out of 23 entities, only 3 are selected from Asia including Ajman University. Moreover, AU is also among the only five universities worldwide to receive the award — including three from Europe, one from Latin America, and Ajman University as the sole representative from Asia. This milestone reinforces Ajman University's global standing, particularly as it enabled the University to obtain U.S.-equivalent charitable organization status — a prerequisite for applying to this grant. This designation aligns with AU's identity as a non-profit academic institution and paves the way for securing additional international funding opportunities that support its academic and community missions. Being the only awardee from both the Middle East and the only university from the Asia highlights the University's ability to compete at the highest levels in fields such as cybersecurity and Internet governance. The grant-funded project represents a significant addition to the University's research and technological infrastructure. It involves the development of a passive, integrated system to collect and analyze DNSSEC data — the first of its kind globally — and is expected to boost AU's international visibility as global Internet community begins using the platform. The project will also include the establishment of a high-tech hardware lab on campus, further strengthening AU's capacity for applied research and innovation in digital infrastructure. The initiative promises to create research and training opportunities for AU graduates, while providing current students and researchers access to valuable datasets for research and development purposes — supporting their growth in analytical and technical skills. The project addresses a major global challenge related to the implementation of DNSSEC, a protocol strongly advocated by global Internet bodies like ICANN and IETF for securing the DNS ecosystem. In the adoption of DNSSEC protocol, one of the main obstacles has been the lack of visibility into global adoption and implementation gaps. Through the newly developed system, Ajman University seeks to bridge that gap by monitoring and analyzing DNSSEC adoption across Internet domain names worldwide. This project reflects Ajman University's strong commitment to leveraging scientific research in service of global challenges and underscores its active role in building secure and sustainable digital infrastructure that benefits academic and technical communities both locally and globally. About Ajman University Established in 1988 as the first private university in the GCC, Ajman University (AU) is a non-profit institution committed to delivering world-class education and empowering future leaders. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, global engagement, and societal impact, AU continues to shape a diverse and inclusive learning environment that nurtures innovation and integrity. Ajman University earned full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2024, becoming the first private and non-profit university in the UAE and the Arab world to achieve this prestigious distinction. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, AU ranks #440 globally and #6 in the UAE, with a global ranking of #241 for Employer Reputation and #3 in the UAE. AU also holds the #1 position in the UAE and #4 globally for the percentage of international students. With a growing network of over 40,000 alumni across the world, AU continues to prepare graduates who are career-ready, globally aware, and committed to shaping a better future for their communities and beyond.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ren Xianliang meets with ICANN president & CEO
BEIJING, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from On June 25, Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the World Internet Conference (WIC), met with Kurtis Lindqvist, president and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Lillestrom, Norway. Ren highlighted that ICANN is a globally influential organization with a strong reputation in the international internet community. Over the past decade, ICANN has been an active participant in the WIC Wuzhen Summit and related events, offering significant support to the WIC. Ren expressed his sincere appreciation for ICANN's contributions and the hope for deeper collaboration in the future. He welcomed ICANN's continued involvement in WIC's flagship initiatives, such as the Practice Cases of Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace, the World Internet Conference Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology, and the World Internet Conference Global Youth Leadership Program. Ren also extended an invitation to Lindqvist to attend major WIC events, including the Wuzhen Summit and the Asia-Pacific Summit. Lindqvist commended the WIC for its long-standing role in advancing internet development and fostering platforms for international exchange and cooperation. He emphasized the significance of the Open Forum hosted by the WIC during the IGF 2025, which focused on bridging the digital divide, particularly in light of the upcoming milestone in the "WSIS+20" process. Lindqvist expressed ICANN's interest in strengthening cooperation with the WIC to advance the multi-stakeholder governance model of the internet. He also invited Ren to attend important ICANN events. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from both the WIC Secretariat and ICANN. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE
