ICANN to Allow Non-Latin Script

This was written by Jack Mann on Friday, October 30, 2009, 9:20.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved the use of non-Latin script web addresses. The board voted to allow web addresses in Chinese, Arabic and several other scripts.

Approximately half of internet users’ primary language is in a non-Latin script. The shift to allow non-Latin characters with the new Internationalized Domain Name system is an involved process, challenging basic coding that has been in use on the internet for years. The process will begin in November 2009. Recently, ICANN reconfigured its relationship with the US government in an effort to better serve the world internet community.