Deprecated and Retired TLDs

What Happens When a TLD is Retired?

Throughout internet history, several Top-Level Domains have been deprecated or retired from the DNS root zone. This typically occurs when countries cease to exist due to geopolitical changes, when territories change status, or when new gTLD applications are withdrawn or fail to launch.

The retirement of a TLD is a significant event that requires careful planning to minimize disruption to existing domain holders. IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) manages this process under established policies and procedures.

Deprecated ccTLDs: Country Codes That No Longer Exist

Why ccTLDs Get Retired

Country Code TLDs are based on the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard. When the ISO updates this standard to remove a country code (typically due to country dissolution, merger, or territorial changes), IANA evaluates whether to retire the corresponding ccTLD.

Historical Retired ccTLDs

The TLD Retirement Process

IANA Procedures for ccTLD Retirement

When a country code is removed from ISO 3166-1, IANA follows established procedures:

Sunset Policies for Domain Holders

When a TLD is scheduled for retirement, domain holders typically receive:

• Multiple Years Notice: Usually 3-5 years advance warning before removal
• Registration Freeze: No new registrations accepted, only renewals for existing domains
• Free or Discounted Migration: Offers to transfer to successor TLDs at reduced cost
• Technical Support: Assistance with DNS updates and email forwarding
• Data Preservation: Export of registration data before shutdown
• Refund Policies: Partial refunds for prepaid registrations extending past retirement date

Impact on Domain Holders

When a TLD is retired, domain holders face several challenges:

• Website Downtime: Domains become unresolvable after retirement
• Email Disruption: Email addresses using the TLD stop working
• SEO Loss: Search rankings and backlinks become invalid
• Brand Confusion: Customers may be unable to find the business
• Migration Costs: Time and expense of moving to new domain
• Lost Marketing Materials: Printed materials with old domain become obsolete

Withdrawn New gTLD Applications

Failed Applications from 2012 Round

During the 2012 New gTLD Program, not all applications resulted in delegated TLDs. Many were withdrawn or failed for various reasons:

Reasons for Application Withdrawal

Notable Withdrawn Applications

• .africa: Multiple competing applications led to years of contention, with some withdrawn
• .islam: Faced community objections and concerns about appropriate governance
• .wine and .vin: Initial objections from geographic indication interests, some applications withdrawn
• Various brand TLDs: Some companies withdrew after deciding the investment wasn't justified

Failed New gTLDs That Never Launched

Delegated but Never Operational

Some TLDs were technically delegated to the DNS root zone but never actually launched for public registration:

Registry Terminations and Transfers

When Registries Change Hands

Sometimes TLD operations are transferred between registry operators due to business failures, acquisitions, or voluntary transfers:

Emergency Backend Registry Operator (EBERO)

ICANN's contingency plan for registry failures:

• Purpose: Ensure continuity of critical registry functions if operator fails
• Activation: Triggered by persistent registry failures (DNS resolution, RDAP/WHOIS, etc.)
• Temporary Operation: EBERO operates registry on interim basis while permanent solution found
• Domain Holder Protection: Existing domains continue to resolve and renew
• Transition: Registry eventually transferred to new operator or existing operator restored

Voluntary Registry Transfers

Registry operators may transfer TLDs through:

• Corporate Acquisitions: Parent company sells business unit including TLD operations
• Portfolio Consolidation: Operators selling non-core TLDs to focus on key properties
• Financial Distress: Struggling operators selling assets to avoid complete failure
• Strategic Realignment: Companies exiting registry business entirely

Domain Holder Protections During Transitions

ICANN requires registries to maintain operations during transitions:

• Continuous DNS resolution throughout transition
• Honor existing registration terms and pricing (usually)
• Maintain RDAP/WHOIS services without interruption
• Allow transfers and updates during transition period
• Provide adequate notice of any policy changes under new operator

Historical TLD Changes and Rebranding

Country Name Changes

When countries change names without changing ISO codes, ccTLDs may undergo rebranding:

Territory Status Changes

When territories change political status but retain their ISO codes:

• .hk (Hong Kong): Maintained after Hong Kong's transfer to China in 1997
• .mo (Macau): Continued after Macau's transfer to China in 1999
• .ps (Palestine): Delegated despite complex political status

Lessons for Domain Holders

Minimizing Risk from TLD Changes

• Monitor IANA Announcements: Stay informed about potential ccTLD changes
• Diversify TLD Portfolio: Don't rely solely on obscure or politically unstable ccTLDs
• Maintain Alternative Domains: Have backup domains in stable TLDs (.com, country-specific)
• Use Domain Redirects: Implement redirects from alternative TLDs as contingency
• Plan Migration Early: Don't wait for final retirement notice to begin transition
• Update Marketing Materials: Use domain names that can be easily changed if needed

Warning Signs

Indicators that a ccTLD may be at risk:

• Country experiencing political instability or territorial disputes
• Discussions of country name changes or mergers
• ISO considering changes to country codes
• Registry operator financial difficulties or management changes
• Declining registration numbers or loss of international recognition