2026 new gTLD applications: what is the name collision risk mitigation?

Name collision risk mitigation is a critical aspect of ICANN's New gTLD Program, and it has evolved significantly since the first round of new gTLD delegations. For the upcoming 2026 application round, ICANN continues to refine its approach to minimize the potential for name collisions and ensure the security and stability of the DNS.

What is Name Collision?

Name collision occurs when a domain name that is used in a private network (e.g., within a corporate intranet) unintentionally resolves to a domain name on the public Internet. For example, if a company uses "internal.corp" within its private network, and then the ".corp" gTLD is delegated on the public Internet, users within that company might experience issues trying to reach their internal "internal.corp" server, as their DNS queries might instead be directed to the public Internet's ".corp" domain. This can lead to security risks, data leakage, and system failures.

Key Mitigation Strategies for 2026 and Beyond:

While the specifics are continuously being refined as part of the "New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process (SubPro)," here are the core elements of ICANN's name collision risk mitigation:

1. Risk Assessment and Categorization of Strings:
   • ICANN conducts extensive studies and analysis (like the Interisle Consulting Group reports and the Name Collisions Analysis Project - NCAP) to identify potential name collision risks associated with applied-for gTLD strings.
   • Strings are categorized based on their risk level (e.g., high-risk, low-risk, uncalculated risk). Certain strings, like ".home" and ".corp," were identified as particularly high-risk and initially withheld from delegation due to their widespread use in private networks.
2. Controlled Interruption (CI):
   • This is a primary mitigation measure. For gTLDs that are determined to have a potential for name collision, ICANN requires a "Controlled Interruption" period, typically 90-120 days, after delegation but before the gTLD is fully activated in the global DNS.
   • During this period, any queries for domains within the new gTLD that match a name on a "collision list" (derived from historical DNS query data) are directed to a special IP address (e.g., 127.0.53.53). This IP address serves as a clear signal to network operators that a name collision might be occurring on their internal network, prompting them to reconfigure their systems.
   • This "controlled interruption" allows network administrators to identify and address any internal conflicts before the new gTLD becomes fully active and widely used.
3. Name Collision Reporting and Emergency Response:
   • ICANN requires registry operators to have mechanisms in place to receive and respond to reports of name collisions.
   • There is a framework for reporting severe harm caused by name collisions, allowing for rapid deactivation of problematic second-level domains (SLDs) or, in extreme cases, even temporary removal of the TLD from the root zone.
4. Information and Outreach Campaigns:
   • ICANN undertakes efforts to educate the community, especially IT professionals and network administrators, about name collision risks and how to identify and mitigate them within their own networks. This involves publishing guides and resources.
5. Technical Requirements for Registry Operators:
   • The Base Registry Agreement for new gTLDs includes provisions related to name collision mitigation, obligating registry operators to implement certain technical measures and cooperate with ICANN's efforts.
6. Ongoing Monitoring and Study:
   • ICANN continues to monitor the DNS for signs of name collisions and conducts further studies to better understand the risks and refine mitigation strategies.

Evolution for 2026:

For the 2026 round, the underlying principles of name collision mitigation remain, but the specifics are being fine-tuned based on lessons learned from the first round. This involves:

• Refined Risk Criteria: Developing more precise criteria and tests to assess name collision risk for any given string before the application window closes (or at least early in the process), to provide applicants with clearer information.
• Integration with Policy Development: The outcomes of the SubPro PDP (Policy Development Process) are being translated into the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) and the Base Registry Agreement, ensuring that name collision mitigation is robustly embedded in the rules and requirements for the next round.
• Emphasis on Shared Accountability: While registry operators bear significant responsibility, there's a recognition of the need for shared accountability across the ecosystem (ICANN, registry operators, and network operators) to effectively address name collision.

The goal is to provide a comprehensive and proactive approach to minimize the risks associated with name collisions, ensuring the continued security, stability, and interoperability of the Internet as the gTLD namespace expands.