ICANN86 in Seville: focus on DNS abuse and new gTLDs

New gTLD application window opens

The most obvious topic occupying the forum was the new application window for generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Having formally opened on 30 April 2026, the window remains live until 12 August 2026. With the domain name space set to be extended for the first time in roughly 14 years, the window represents a unique opportunity for organisations to apply for their own TLDs.

Many are therefore currently busy finalising their applications, while others are just throwing their hats into the ring, fearing that it could be years before they get the chance again.

Applicants are keeping a low profile

A notable feature of the current application window is the level of secrecy. Applicants are deliberately keeping a very low profile, so as to steal a march on competitors and avoid complex and costly appeal procedures.

Within the industry, the expectation is that there will be more than 1,000 applications. That estimate is based partly on the number of organisations working with technical and operational service providers to run their planned TLDs.

ICANN traditionally publishes a list of applicants on ‘Reveal Day’. While the date of this window’s Reveal Day has yet to be announced, some time before October’s Annual General Meeting in Bali seems likely.

Despite the secrecy, some parties are now actively lobbying for additional assurances. For example, the Wine Origins Alliance is calling for stronger protection of geographical names in the DNS. That move follows on from the debates that took place around the 2012 window, regarding the introduction of .wine and .vin, and the protection of designations of origin, such as Champaign and Rioja.

DNS abuse moves up the agenda

Another topic with a significantly higher profile at ICANN86 was DNS abuse, particularly the concept of associated domain checks. Associated domain checking involves a registrar who receives an abuse report looking not only at the reported domain name, but also at any other domain names with the same registrant.

The idea of the associated domain check is part of a wider trend, where DNS abuse is no longer seen purely as a compliance issue, but as a substantive aspect of trust and internet governance. If such checks were introduced, it would mean extra responsibilities for registrars.

It would also increase the importance of having good quality registration data, since reliable and verifiable data is a prerequisite for effectively identifying and tackling abuse.

Access to registration data remains a topical issue

Access to registration data via the Whois and RDAP was on the agenda again at ICANN86. Although some movement has been achieved with initiatives such as the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS), progress has been modest.

As a result, government intervention is on the rise. For example, the EU’s NIS2 directive now requires registries and registrars to obtain and verify accurate registration data, and to promptly make it available to authorised bodies on request. As a result, ICANN’s international decision-making process is under additional pressure.

Other developments

At ICANN86, it was also revealed that Amazon wants to launch the .pay top-level domain in 2027. The planned TLD will be a closed domain space for payment services. Amazon originally sought permission for .pay back in the 2012 application window.

Finally, ICANN announced that this year’s Annual General Meeting is being moved from Oman to Bali in response to concerns about security in the Middle East.

Summary

ICANN86 made it clearer than ever that the domain name industry is entering a new era. The introduction of new gTLDs and the increasing focus on DNS abuse and regulation are making the landscape more complex. Alongside the technological developments, compliance, security and policy are now increasingly important.