Yesterday, ICANN opened a discussion on its official website, dedicated to the question where it is necessary to direct the sum of $58,000,000. It is about the money received during the ICANN auctions which decided destiny of new gTLD applicants, unable to agree among themselves. The auction for the right of .APP administration, where, as it is easy to guess, Google took priority, paying for a victory about $25,000,000, was the most "plenteous" of them. Besides, the auction on .TECH brought in ICANN’s treasury $5,600,000.
Destiny of this money has been interested for Internet public since 2011, when it was suggested to hold these auctions. However, the decision on this question wasn't made, and money accumulated on special ICANN’s account. Present initiative of open discussion looks extremely timely. ICANN applies for receiving control over the DNS root zone after the U.S. Government refuses these functions. It is extremely important for corporation to show the operational transparency and to emphasize the commitment to democratic principles in making important decisions.
Anyone can state his wishes on use of money received from auctions on the ICANN’s website. The period of discussion will last untill October, 18.
