In recent years, the .io country code top-level domain (ccTLD) has gained immense popularity, especially in the tech and startup world. Seen as a short, punchy, and memorable domain extension, .io has become synonymous with innovation, data, and technology. However, what many don’t know is that this extension has a geopolitical and ethical background that could put its future at risk.
The .io domain belongs to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a group of islands in the Indian Ocean that are at the center of a significant sovereignty dispute. This raises the question: Could the .io domain face extinction, and what would this mean for its users and the internet landscape?
Understanding the .io domain
The .io domain extension was originally designated for the British Indian Ocean Territory, a remote archipelago that includes the famous Diego Garcia military base, currently leased to the United States by the UK. While .io was officially a ccTLD, it gained global recognition due to its tech-friendly sound and increasing use by startups, developers, and data-driven companies. Today, companies ranging from small developers to large tech firms use .io domains, often without any awareness of the geopolitical context behind it.
The sovereignty dispute over the British Indian Ocean Territory
The legal status of the British Indian Ocean Territory is highly contested. On 3rd October, the British government announced that it was giving up sovereignty over the tropical atoll in the Indian Ocean known as the Chagos Islands. The islands would be handed over to the neighboring island country of Mauritius, about 1,100 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa.
The historical treatment of the Chagossians, the indigenous people of the islands, who were forcibly removed in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the establishment of a military base on Diego Garcia was at the heart of the original dispute. Many argued that the UK’s continued control over the islands, and by extension the .io domain, was unjust.
The ethical dilemma of using .io
Following the transfer the islands to their new owner, some have started to question the ethics of using .io domains. The Chagossians themselves have not benefited from the revenues generated by the sale of .io domains, leading to criticism of the UK’s management of the ccTLD. This has led to calls from activists and some organisations to stop using .io domains altogether, as part of a broader movement advocating for justice for the Chagossian people.
Could .io be retired?
The extinction of a ccTLD is not unprecedented, though it is rare. In cases where a country ceases to exist, such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union, associated domain extensions have been phased out. Now Mauritius is in control of the British Indian Ocean Territory, it is possible that the .io ccTLD could be retired or replaced with a new extension, though this would be a highly complex and politically sensitive process.
A more likely scenario, however, could involve the transfer of the .io domain’s management to Mauritius, in which case the domain could continue to exist, but under new oversight. This would allow companies currently using .io to keep their domains, while potentially providing a share of revenues to the Chagossian community or Mauritius.
Implications for businesses using .io
For companies that rely on their .io domain as part of their brand identity, the potential extinction or transfer of this ccTLD could have significant implications. While it is unlikely that .io domains would suddenly become inaccessible, changes in management or ownership could lead to uncertainty about the future stability of the extension.
In a worst-case scenario, companies could be forced to migrate to a new domain extension, which could be costly and disruptive. It is important for businesses to monitor the situation closely and consider registering alternative domains as a contingency plan. For those concerned about the ethical implications of using .io, switching to another extension might also become a more attractive option.
Alternatives to .io
Fortunately, the internet offers many alternatives to the .io domain. Extensions like .dev, .tech, and .app are widely available and gaining traction in the tech industry. These domains offer the same tech-forward image as .io, without the geopolitical baggage.
Some companies may also opt for traditional domain extensions like .com, which remains the most widely recognised and trusted option globally. Additionally, industry-specific or country-code domains, such as .ai for artificial intelligence or .co for companies, could provide viable alternatives.
What the future holds for .io
If like us you use .io we advise you ensure you purchase your domain using different TLDs such as .uk, .co.uk, .com, to name a few. Having additional domains is not only a safeguard aginst the demise of .io but also protects your company and your brand.
If you need help with locating and registering alternative domain names, please get in touch and our team will be more than happy to help you.