WASHINGTON — U.S. officials announced plans Friday to relinquish federal government control over the administration of the Internet, a move likely to please international critics but alarm business leaders and others who rely on smooth functioning of the Web.
Pressure to let go of the final vestiges of U.S. authority over the system of Web addresses and domain names that organize the Internet has been building for more than a decade.
“The timing is right to start the transition process,” said Lawrence Strickling, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information. “We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan,” he said, referring to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
The practical consequences of the decision were not clear, but it could alleviate global complaints that the U.S. essentially controls the Web.
