Expert analysis and commentary on ICANN’s latest move to secure the Internet’s future.
ICANN Addresses Digital Identity and Global Internet Unity at Web Summit
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is preparing for a defining moment in Internet history. At this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon, the nonprofit behind the Domain Name System (DNS) is spotlighting two crucial issues: the expansion of digital identity through new domain extensions and the growing global pressure threatening to fragment the Internet as we know it.
A Debate About the Internet’s Future
ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist will join Internet Society President Sally Wentworth and journalist Steve Clemons for a session titled “The Geopolitics of the Internet: Unity or Division?” on November 11. The discussion aims to answer a pressing question: can international collaboration preserve a single, open Internet, or will competing national interests pull it apart?
This isn’t a hypothetical debate. Some governments are increasingly asserting control over local Internet infrastructure, regulations, and data policies. Lindqvist and other leaders will argue that preserving the multistakeholder model—a governance system where governments, businesses, and civil society share responsibility—is the only way to keep the Internet global and accessible.
The New Digital Frontier: Custom Domains
ICANN is also preparing to open applications for the 2026 round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). These domains go beyond familiar endings like .com or .org, offering companies, cities, and organizations the chance to own extensions such as .brand or .community. The new program opens a once-in-a-decade opportunity to shape online identity from the ground up.
On November 11, ICANN’s Theresa Swinehart will host a masterclass titled “Revolutionize Your Online Presence with a New Domain.” She’ll be joined by Sky Group’s Nisha Parkash and CSC’s Patrick Hauss to discuss how unique domains can strengthen brand recognition, improve security, and build consumer trust. These experts plan to explain how owning a gTLD gives organizations complete control over their online ecosystem, eliminating many of the risks associated with third-party platforms or confusing subdomains.
Opening the Door to a More Inclusive Internet
The 2026 round will also introduce more Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), allowing domain names in non-Latin scripts. This expansion makes the Internet more accessible to users worldwide, reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity rather than limiting it. It’s a technical change with significant social meaning: digital identity should be as universal as the Internet itself.
Why This Moment Matters
ICANN has long operated behind the scenes, ensuring that the Internet’s addressing system functions seamlessly. Yet its role in keeping the Internet unified has never been more visible—or more vital. The growth of digital economies, combined with rising geopolitical tension, has turned DNS governance into a global issue. Whether the Internet remains a single shared resource or fractures into national networks could define the next decade of digital communication and commerce.
Lindqvist summed it up in clear terms: “We are empowering organizations to create their own unique digital identities, fostering competition and consumer choice. At the same time, we must protect the model of Internet governance that makes this possible.”
ICANN’s Long Game
The upcoming gTLD program is more than a technical rollout—it’s a statement of faith in a connected Internet. Each new domain, whether it belongs to a global brand or a local community, reinforces the idea that digital identity should be open, secure, and adaptable to the needs of its users. By encouraging participation across industries and nations, ICANN is betting on collaboration rather than control.
Those interested in applying for a new gTLD can find details at newgtldprogram.icann.org. The application window opens in April 2026, marking the most significant expansion of the Internet’s address space since the 2012 launch.
At Web Summit, ICANN’s message will likely resonate with anyone concerned about the Internet’s future. As digital identity becomes a cornerstone of business and communication, the choices made now—about governance, inclusivity, and innovation—will shape what the Internet looks like for the next generation. The discussion isn’t theoretical. It’s happening live in Lisbon, and its outcome could define the next chapter of the digital age.