The coveted top-level domain .io has gained popularity in the world of IT due to its stylish name resembling the term I/O in the computer world. Websites utilizing the .io domain include github.io, sentry.io, and the indie game store itch.io, among others.
However, the fate of .io domains is becoming uncertain as they may be permanently discontinued. This is because the .io domain is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) associated with a little-known country – the British Indian Ocean Territory or Chagos Islands, a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean.
The change began in October 2024 when the UK decided to hand over these islands to Mauritius, a country nearby the African coast. While maintaining its military presence, the UK transferred ownership rights to Mauritius. As a result, the British Indian Ocean Territory will cease to exist, along with its country code, phone code, and the .io domain.
According to Computerworld, inquiries to ICANN, the top-level domain overseer, revealed that as long as the ISO 3166 standard retains the country code IO, ICANN will continue to support the .io domain. However, if the IO country code is discontinued, ICANN’s policy allows a transition period of 5 years for .io domain owners to migrate to other domains.
Despite reaching out to the entity managing ISO 3166, Computerworld has yet to receive a response. With no precedent of a similar case in the era of the internet, it remains unclear how the fate of .io domains will unfold in the long run.
TLDR: The future of .io domains is uncertain as the British Indian Ocean Territory undergoes changes, potentially leading to the discontinuation of the popular top-level domain.
Leave a Comment