ICANN GNSO Invites Public Comment on Latin Script Diacritics PDP Initial Report – Key Tech Policy Update

On 12 January 2026, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) formally launched a public comment period on the Initial Report produced by the Latin Script Diacritics Policy Development Process (PDP) Working Group. The report introduces 54 preliminary recommendations and implementation considerations that address a long-standing policy gap within the domain name system.

The focus of this PDP is a specific scenario not fully covered by existing ICANN policy: cases where an ASCII generic top-level domain (gTLD) and a corresponding Latin script diacritic version are not classified as variant strings, yet are closely related from a linguistic and operational perspective. The working group’s task has been to explore whether, and under what conditions, a single registry operator should be allowed to manage both strings in a coordinated way.

By opening the report for public input, the GNSO is inviting the global Internet governance community to help shape how this policy question should ultimately be resolved within ICANN’s multistakeholder framework.

Understanding Latin Script Diacritics in the DNS Context

Latin script diacritics are visual markers added to letters that modify pronunciation or meaning in many languages that rely on the Latin alphabet. These marks are essential for accurately representing words in numerous European and non-European languages, making them a critical component of a truly multilingual Internet.

Within the domain name system, however, diacritic characters introduce complexity. While internationalized domain names already support a wide range of scripts and characters, policy challenges arise when ASCII-only gTLDs and their diacritic counterparts are not formally treated as variants. This can lead to ambiguity around string similarity, user expectations, and registry operations.

The Initial Report examines these challenges in depth, outlining how existing policies fall short and proposing structured approaches to handle ASCII and diacritic gTLD relationships in a predictable and secure manner. The recommendations aim to balance linguistic accuracy, technical stability, and policy consistency.

Public Comment Process and Next Steps

The public comment period runs from 12 January 2026 through 23 February 2026, giving stakeholders ample time to review the Initial Report and submit feedback. Contributors are encouraged to comment on specific sections and recommendations, ensuring that the working group receives focused and actionable input.

Once the comment window closes, ICANN staff will compile and summarize all submissions. The Latin Script Diacritics PDP Working Group will review this feedback during its scheduled discussions at ICANN85 in Mumbai, assessing whether adjustments to the proposed recommendations are necessary.

Following this review, the working group is expected to finalize its conclusions in a Final Report. That report will be subject to a consensus call within the group before being forwarded to the GNSO Council for further consideration. The outcome of this process may play a significant role in shaping future gTLD policy and advancing multilingual representation across the global Internet.