You’re correct, but it gets muddier as you dive deeper.
ICANN controls the “DNS root”, meaning only them can issue TLDs such as .com, .net, .eu, .co.uk etc.
It is possible to spin up your own DNS root in the backyard but other people won’t be able to resolve your .whatever unless they trust you to be the next ICANN, because you wouldn’t only be able to claim control over just .whatever but the whole range of TLDs.
Ultimately you’re forced to bow to ICANN’s authority because that’s what everyone does. Doesn’t sound very sovereign to me.
You’re correct, but it gets muddier as you dive deeper.
ICANN controls the “DNS root”, meaning only them can issue TLDs such as .com, .net, .eu, .co.uk etc.
It is possible to spin up your own DNS root in the backyard but other people won’t be able to resolve your .whatever unless they trust you to be the next ICANN, because you wouldn’t only be able to claim control over just .whatever but the whole range of TLDs.
Ultimately you’re forced to bow to ICANN’s authority because that’s what everyone does. Doesn’t sound very sovereign to me.