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Terror fears prompt security crackdown for ICANN 55
ICANN is bringing in metal detectors, bag searches and ID checks at its forthcoming public meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.
The measures are being introduced despite ICANN’s assurances that it considers the chance of terrorism at ICANN 55 to be “LOW”.
In a statement today, ICANN meetings boss Nick Tomasso said:
we are in constant and on-going communication with our hosts and the Moroccan government, to assess any security concerns surrounding the upcoming meeting. In addition, we are working with a highly respected global security-consulting firm, which gives us on-going updates of potential risks. This firm has also assigned a senior level analyst to work with ICANN.
As of this date, the assessments of these various security experts is that there is only a LOW risk of any type of terrorist activity in Morocco.
The statement comes as some members of the ICANN community have been expressing concerns about visiting Morocco, in the light of recent ISIS/Daesh-linked terrorist attacks in North Africa.
Morocco itself has not been the target of any successful Daesh attacks, though members of the cell behind the November attacks in Paris are reported to have Moroccan links.
Marrakech was bombed by an Al Qaeda-linked group in 2011.
Several Western governments urge visitors to the country to exercise caution, saying there’s a high risk of terrorist attacks.
The UK government says, for example:
There is a high threat from terrorism in Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
The US government is less alarmist:
The potential for terrorist violence against U.S. interests and citizens exists in Morocco. Moroccan authorities continue to disrupt groups seeking to attack U.S. or Western-affiliated and Moroccan government targets, arresting numerous individuals associated with international terrorist groups. With indications that such groups still seek to carry out attacks in Morocco, it is important for U.S. citizens to be keenly aware of their surroundings and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predictable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile.
I’ve heard community members speculate that an ICANN meeting, with its broad international mix of delegates, some governmental, might be an attractive target.
Personally, I’m not convinced the risk is much greater than it would be in any Western capital. My mother is vacationing unaccompanied in Egypt around the same time, and I’m fine with that.
However, ICANN seems to be taking the concerns seriously.
Tomasso added the following, non-exhaustive list of new security measures for ICANN 55:
- Every delegate will now need a government-issued ID to pick up a badge at the registration desk.
- There will be increased security screening for those entering our meeting venue, which may include metal detectors, magnetic wands and bag checks.
- There will be advanced verification of delegate registration information by Moroccan authorities.
- Security will be increased at the hotels where delegates are staying.
- We are establishing a 24/7 operations center at the venue.
It’s not exactly TSA-levels of privacy invasion, but I can see some would-be delegates being put off by the extra hassle.
If ICANN were to cancel the Marrakech meeting, it would risk seriously pissing off African community members.
The Marrakech meeting was originally scheduled for 2015, but it was postponed due to fears about the Ebola virus, which at the time was running rampant in African countries thousands of miles away.
In 2010, ICANN was criticized for its handling of security concerns around a meeting in Kenya, where at least 74 delegates cancelled their registrations over terror fears.
ICANN also cancelled a planned 2011 meeting in Jordan due to Middle East security concerns.
ICANN 55 is scheduled for March 5 to 10.
We can always go back to Singapore. I like that place…
It’s not going to be relocated at such short notice – these things have a momentum – they can’t turn the ship around now.
Even Singapore (one of the most reliable venues) couldn’t pull it all together that quickly.
I think attendance was already going to be lower thanks to NamesCon.
Looks like Moroccan.com is up for sale. Strange timing.
I think ICANN is taking the right step in the right direction since the fear of terrorists, these days, is the beginning of wisdom.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Belgium. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
Guess I been playing with my life here the last two weekends when I visited Belgium.
I got zero problems visiting Marrakech