With many countries less than happy about American control of the internet, Washington has said it will allow foreign governments more of a say in the future of the system. ICANN – the official body that ultimately controls the development of the internet, said it was ending its agreement with the US government.
Icann has previously been operating under the direction of the US, which dominated as the birthplace of the internet and home of the dot com domain name.
The changes will see other countries take a deciding role in the future in the shape of the net. NOMINET - the British organisation that handles the day-to-day running of .uk domain names - said that Icann had started a trend for companies with internet influence to appear more open and accountable.
The new agreement, replacing the 1998 agreement comes into force today.
