Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Proposed sale of Public Interest Registry to Ethos Capital
ISOC’s agreement to sell PIR to Ethos Capital generated strong opposition because .org was viewed by many stakeholders as a public-interest resource serving nonprofit and civil-society organizations. Critics questioned the governance, accountability, and potential financial consequences of transferring the registry to a private-equity-backed buyer.
2016
Iran-related sanctions and chapter difficulties
ISOC decided not to seek a U.S. Treasury OFAC license that could have enabled funding for activities involving Iranian nationals. The decision affected Iranian members, a proposed Iranian chapter, and a fellowship connected with attendance at the Internet Governance Forum.