The upcoming ICANN 80 meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, is poised to tackle critical issues related to domain names that will be of interest to brand owners. Here's a look at some key areas of focus:

1. Proxy and Privacy Services (PPSAI):

The ICANN Community is going to be relaunching work to implement recommendations adopted in 2016 to address the increasing problem of domain name registration hidden behind privacy and proxy registration services. The work will focus on ensuring consistent application of rules for these anonymity-offering domain name registration services given recent develops in privacy regulations such as the NIS-2 directive in Europe. In addition, the distinction between privacy services (masking registrant details) and proxy services (making the provider the legal registrant) will be crucial in discussions.

2. Registration Data Directory Service (RDRS):

This pilot program, launched in late 2023, is designed to standardize access to non-public domain registration data for domain names to requestors with a "legitimate interest." Usage data will be reviewed the RDRS Standing Committee, of which this author is a member, to inform policy decisions on a potential permanent System for Standardized Access/Disclosure (SSAD). Notably, improvements to the request system will be discussed as well as a session by registrars on what makes up a good request. 

3. New Round of Top-Level Domain Names a/k/a Subsequent Procedures:

Several meetings of the Subsequent Procedures (SubPro) Implementation Review Team (IRT) are on the agenda. This team assists ICANN in implementing policy recommendations for new gTLD Subsequent Procedures. We will be following this implementation work closely because the rules and processes for brand owners seeking to apply for a new Top-Level Domain Name are being worked out over the coming months.

This meeting promises to be a platform for productive dialogue that shapes the future of the Domain Name System (DNS) and internet governance as a whole.