ICANN Publishes January 2026 gTLD Registry Audit Report
01-Feb-2026
|
Source : The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
|
Visits : 4580
LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has published the January 2026 Contractual Compliance gTLD Registry Audit Report, which presents the results of the most recent audit round conducted under ICANN's generic top-level domain (gTLD) Registry Audit Program. The report summarizes ICANN Contractual Compliance's review of registry operators' adherence to the Base Registry Agreement (RA) and applicable ICANN policies, with particular attention to Domain Name System (DNS) Abuse mitigation requirements that came into effect in April 2024, according to the official website of ICANN.
The audit round launched in October 2024 and concluded in October 2025. It examined 21 selected gTLDs using a data-driven selection process designed to ensure relevance to the updated DNS Abuse obligations. The review included analysis of documentation provided by registry operators, website reviews, correspondence with ICANN Contractual Compliance, and information supplied by ICANN-approved data escrow agents. In total, ICANN reviewed more than 1,800 documents submitted from 14 countries and territories and in six languages.
This audit marked the first full-scope registry audit conducted after the 2024 amendments to the RA related to DNS Abuse mitigation. As a result, the audit included expanded testing and additional requests for information to assess how registry operators implemented the new requirements. These requirements focus on timely and appropriate mitigation actions and the availability of public abuse reporting mechanisms. The RA requirements concerning the use of periodic technical analysis to identify and address DNS Abuse were also evaluated.
Of the 21 registry operators audited, nine completed the audit with at least one detected instance of noncompliance with the RA that remained unresolved at the close of the audit period, primarily related to reserved names requirements and Internationalized Domain Name table accuracy. As of publication, several of these operators have already completed remediation, and the remaining operators have provided ICANN with time-bound remediation plans. ICANN Contractual Compliance will continue to follow up to confirm that all outstanding findings are fully addressed.
The report also includes observations and recommendations intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of future audit rounds. These recommendations encourage proactive self-review by registry operators, clear and timely communication during audits, and early engagement with ICANN Contractual Compliance when questions arise.
The publication of this report reflects ICANN's ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and the consistent application of community-developed requirements that support the security, stability, and resiliency of the DNS.