WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today asked that federal authorities find ways to protect consumers and businesses from any negative impacts associated with a broad new expansion in the number of Internet domain names.

“I’m concerned that this expansion of generic, top-level domains, if it proceeds as planned, will have adverse consequences for the millions of American consumers, companies, and non-profit organizations that use the Internet on a daily basis,” Rockefeller wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary John Bryson and NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling. 

“I am now asking that you work with your international counterparts and ICANN to ensure that ICANN’s plan to expand top-level domains is implemented in a cautious, limited manner, which minimizes the likelihood of negative impacts,” Rockefeller continued.  

The full text of Chairman’s Rockefeller letter can be found below.

Background:

At a Commerce Committee hearing earlier this month, Chairman Rockefeller expressed his concerns with ICANN’s plan to allow interested organizations and companies to apply for additional top-level domains. The hearing examined the merits and implications of this new program and ICANN’s continuing efforts to address concerns raised by the Internet community.

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