US takes key step in ceding control of internet addresses

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a key step in relinquishing control of the internet's addressing system, fulfilling a promise made in the 1990s.

The organization deals with matters including the assignment of internet suffixes such as ".com" and ".org" and the operation of the internet's "root servers," the master directories for telling web browsers where to find websites.

Lawrence E. Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information at the Commerce Department, said the endorsed plan won't replace Commerce's role with a government-led or inter-governmental solution.