Tokelau’s Internet Domain: A “Toxic Legacy” for a Pacific Island Nation

A recent surge in malicious use of generic Top-Level Domains (TLDs) like .xyz, .top, and .live has raised concerns among cybercrime experts. However, one particular TLD is causing existential issues for a small Pacific island nation: the .tk domain.

A Toxic Legacy

The tiny atoll nation of Tokelau, with a population of just over 1,500 people, has been exploited by dodgy dealers who have drained its economy. The country’s leadership is working to repair its international reputation and clean up the .tk domain, but experts warn that the damage may already be done.

“The guys doing it as a dabble won’t want to put the money up, but the professionals are not going away,” said Dave Piscitello, director of research activity at the Cybercrime Information Center. “They will go elsewhere.”

A Lucrative Venture Gone Wrong

Tokelau’s .tk domain was once touted as a lucrative venture, with Zuurbier claiming it added over 10% to the country’s GDP. However, insiders say this is a gross exaggeration. Enosa, a Tokelauan official, claimed that .tk provided only a “very small” proportion of Teletok’s income.

International Reputation and Sovereignty

The real issue for Tokelau is not just the financial impact but also its international reputation. The country’s isolation and limited access to data packages has made it difficult for outsiders to understand the scale of the problem. Even many Tokelau elders were unaware of the issues surrounding .tk until recently.

As Tokelau faces existential threats from climate change, emigration, and uncertainty over its future relationship with New Zealand, cleaning up its internet domain is crucial. The country’s leadership is working to repair its international reputation by promoting a new identity for Tokelau online.

“We are building nationhood here,” said Vitale, general manager of Tokelau’s government. “We want to use .tk as a catalyst to promote our nationhood and be proud of it—our domain name and our identity among the internet community.”

Promoting Nationhood

Tokelau’s reliance on New Zealand’s .nz domain is seen as a symbol of its lack of sovereignty. The country’s leaders hope that by reclaiming its own domain, they can promote a sense of national pride and identity.

“When you have people coming to knock on your door with attractive packages, you see it as an opportunity you hook onto—not realizing what the consequences will be further down the road,” said Vitale.

A Necessary Step towards Sovereignty

The issue of .tk has finally broken out of its technical niche and into the wider public, sparking debate over Tokelau’s political future. As the country prepares for a referendum on its relationship with New Zealand in 2025, cleaning up its internet domain is seen as a necessity if it is to make any serious bid for sovereignty.

Correction

This article has been updated to correct an error stating that Antigua was the Caribbean island with the .ai domain. It is actually Anguilla. Our apologies.