The ICANN86 Policy Forum took place from June 8-11 in Seville at a pivotal moment for the domain name industry. With the next round of new gTLD applications now open, the focus has clearly shifted from preparation to execution. At the same time, growing concerns about DNS abuse have resulted in a new, far-reaching proposal to extend checks on registrants when one of their domains is reported for abuse, illustrating how the role of DNS is evolving from infrastructure to security and regulations.
New gTLDs were the main topic
The most prominent topic in Seville was the new gTLD application round that officially opened on April 30, 2026, and will run until August 12, 2026. This is the first expansion of the domain namespace in approximately 14 years, providing a rare opportunity for organizations to apply for their own top-level domain. Many applicants are finalizing their plans now. Others have only recently entered the process, prompted by the realization that missing this window could mean waiting years for another one. As a result, service providers across the domain industry— including registry service providers (RSPs)— are experiencing a surge in interest and inquiries.
Secrecy surrounds applications
At the same time, the actual applications are shrouded in secrecy. Applicants want to prevent competing bids from evolving and forcing them into costly procedures after the window closes. Industry estimates suggest that the number of applications could exceed 1,000. This estimate is based in part on the number of parties engaging with registry service providers to prepare the technical and operational infrastructure required to run a TLD.
ICANN will publish the list of applicants on Reveal Day. Although the exact date is yet to be announced, it would be reasonable to expect the list to come out before the ICANN Annual General Meeting this October.
Lobbying for rights protection continues, even though applications remain a secret
Organizations such as the Wine Origins Alliance used the forum to advocate for stronger protection of geographic names within the DNS. This brought back memories of 2012, when European organizations vehemently opposed the introduction of .wine and .vin as open gTLDs, citing the risk of abusing legally protected names such as Champagne, rioja, etc.
Stronger obligations towards DNS abuse
A second major theme in Seville was DNS abuse, which continues to rise on the policy agenda. One of the most discussed issues is the concept of “Associated Domain Checks.” These checks would require registrars to look beyond an individual domain reported for abuse and investigate other domains linked to the same registrant.
This issue reflects a broader trend: the community no longer views DNS abuse as a niche compliance issue, but rather as a core component of DNS governance and trust. Implementing these checks would mark a significant shift to broader enforcement by registrars but also raise the question: what about the quality of registration data? Such investigations would not be possible if registrars could not easily identify registrants.
Access to registration data
The access to registration data in WHOIS/ Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) was also on the agenda and not for the first time. It’s been a recurring topic at ICANN for years, with progress remaining slow despite the introduction of solutions such as the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS). However, governments have seized the initiative. For example, the European Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2) recently introduced legal obligations for registries and registrars to collect, verify and maintain accurate domain registration data, and provide access to legitimate requesters within defined time frames. This raises broader questions about the effectiveness of ICANN’s often slow decision-making process.
Other industry developments
ICANN confirmed the next Annual General Meeting will take place in Bali instead of Oman, due to widespread security concerns.
In other news, Amazon announced it is finally launching the .pay TLD in 2027. Originally applied for in 2012, this controlled namespace is aimed at payment-related services.
https://www.dreyfus.fr/en/2014/07/17/wine-and-vin-the-saga-continues-at-icann/
Hello Registry in Seville
For Hello Registry, ICANN86 was an opportunity to engage with existing registries and potential applicants. As an ICANN-approved RSP, we support organizations in designing, building and operating TLD infrastructure. With the application window now open, conversations in Seville focused on:
- Supporting applicants in the final stages of preparation
- Advising on technical and operational requirements
- Exploring opportunities with new entrants and established registry operators
For many applicants, selecting the right RSP is a critical part of their application strategy. At the same time, discussions in Seville made it clear that running a TLD is getting more complex. Technical excellence alone is no longer sufficient; compliance, security and policy alignment are also essential. That’s where Hello Registry comes in, helping registry operators navigate the technical and operational realities of the DNS, while aligning with evolving policy and regulatory frameworks.
To learn more about the discussions at ICANN Seville or Hello Registry services, get in touch with us here