In a surprising turn of events, the popular “.af” domains, known for their edgy and unconventional feel, have been plunged into darkness as over 100 Afghan websites face suspension. This setback is attributed to a payment dispute between a French internet services firm, Gandi, and the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Communications. The “.af” domains gained a cult following for their unique and sometimes cheeky names, such as “sexy.af” and “awesome.af.”
The Afghan Ministry of Communications and IT revealed that 150 domains registered through Gandi were suspended due to approximately $17,000 in unpaid fees. Gandi’s CEO, Arnaud Franquinet, cited international sanctions on the Taliban and Afghanistan’s unstable banking situation as challenges in resolving the debt, making it a prolonged process.
This development has left the online community in a state of uncertainty, with websites like “queer.af” and “broke.af” among those affected. The suspension underscores the broader challenges faced by internet users when geopolitical shifts impact the online landscape. While the content of the domains is said to be irrelevant to the suspensions, the fate of these once-vibrant online spaces hangs in the balance until the payment dispute is resolved.
Tech enthusiasts, website owners, and the wider online community now await the resolution of this unexpected chapter, highlighting the intricate intersection of technology, geopolitics, and internet governance.