Which organization manages the allocation of TLDs?

The allocation of top-level domains (TLDs) is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating and overseeing the global Domain Name System (DNS), IP address allocation, and other critical internet infrastructure.

ICANN's responsibilities related to TLDs include:

1. **Policy Development**: ICANN facilitates the development of policies, guidelines, and procedures governing the allocation, management, and operation of TLDs. It coordinates multi-stakeholder processes involving domain registries, registrars, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to develop consensus-based policies that address the needs and concerns of the global internet community.

2. **TLD Administration**: ICANN oversees the administration and management of generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as .com, .org, .net, .info, and others. It coordinates the application process for new gTLDs, evaluates applications based on established criteria, and grants approvals for the delegation of new gTLDs into the DNS root zone.

3. **Contractual Agreements**: ICANN establishes contractual agreements with domain registries and registrars that govern the terms and conditions under which TLDs are operated and managed. These agreements, known as Registry Agreements and Registrar Accreditation Agreements, define the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of TLD operators and registrars in accordance with ICANN's policies and guidelines.

4. **Registry Services Evaluation**: ICANN evaluates proposed registry services and changes to existing registry operations to ensure compliance with technical, operational, and policy requirements. It reviews registry service requests, conducts impact assessments, and engages stakeholders to assess the potential effects of proposed changes on the security, stability, and interoperability of the DNS.

5. **DNS Root Zone Management**: ICANN coordinates the management of the DNS root zone, which serves as the authoritative directory of top-level domain names and their associated DNS servers. It works with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to update and maintain the root zone file, which contains the list of TLDs and their corresponding authoritative name servers.

6. **Stakeholder Engagement**: ICANN engages with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, technical experts, industry representatives, civil society organizations, and internet users, to solicit input, gather feedback, and foster consensus on TLD-related policies, decisions, and initiatives. It organizes public consultations, stakeholder forums, and policy development processes to ensure inclusive and transparent governance of TLDs.

Overall, ICANN plays a central role in managing the allocation, administration, and governance of TLDs, working collaboratively with stakeholders to uphold the security, stability, and integrity of the global Domain Name System.