Government announces regulations on sale of domains with new security feature

Maldives' Transport Ministry has announced its policy on selling domain numbers which are equipped with new security features.

This is the first time the Maldivian government has started selling domains since the process was stopped in August 2023 due to legitimacy issues of existing domains. According to the Ministry's records, there are 1,400 domain numbers being used in the Maldives. However, only 700 are legitimate.

The current administration took on the task of regularising these domains. Part of that work includes the new regulations on sale of domains, which was announced yesterday.

As per the new changes, all existing domain numbers will need to be re-registered and paid for, within two months. A three month period is also provided to change the domain's registration document and all domain usage permits to new paperwork with added security features. Documentation without security features would not be accepted after this time period, the Ministry's regulation also said,

Points highlighted in the Regulation

- Documents to be submitted with the domain application form

- The vehicle's driver must hold a permit to use the domain, and it should be easily accessible. The permit maybe a document issued by the Ministry, or a QR code copy of the document, or one accessible from an official portal.

- Fines will be imposed for use of unregistered numbers

Previously, the committee to resolve domain number issues consisted of three members. However, the new regulation now requires a seven member committee, where four member votes are required to decide on matters.

Powers allocated to the committee include deciding on the validity of domain numbers according to civil standards.

As per the regulation, registration fees for domain numbers will remain at MVR 500, and the bidding price of domain numbers will be between MVR 50,000 to 100,000 as set out in the law.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen previously said that the security features on earlier documents were easily forgeable. He also added that the serial number and records of those documents were also not visible.

The Minister said that the first domains issued would have three and four numbers, with domains containing two and one number as well as alphanumeric ones to follow after. He also added that domains would be sold quarterly.