🛡️ Why I No Longer Register Domains Under .com.au — A Founder’s Perspective

By Mahendra Pratap Singh

Over the past two decades, I’ve launched and supported multiple ventures in the Australian tech space. Like many others, I initially registered my domains under the .com.au extension, believing it offered trust, locality, and credibility for Australian businesses.

However, after a deeply painful and eye-opening experience involving the silent removal of my fully-paid .com.au domain without due process or transparency, I made a decision I’ve stood by ever since:

This isn’t about bitterness. It’s about sovereignty, resilience, and a lesson learned through loss.

💥 What Happened

In 2019, my domain cloudbackup.com.au, registered since 2008, was removed from my account without warning and later registered by another entity — despite being fully paid until 2020. The reason cited was a supposed eligibility complaint, but:

• I was never shown the complaint.

• I was given no final notice.

• And when I followed up with AUDA (the .AU regulator), I was told that to file a complaint of my own, I’d need to pay a $3,000 non-refundable fee.

That process wasn’t just opaque — it was inaccessible to small business owners and solo founders. Over the next few months, I attempted to obtain the original complaint under the Freedom of Information Act and through legal avenues, but I received no clear answers.

What hurt more than the loss of a domain was the realization that the system protecting it was built for silence, not justice.

🧠 What I Learned (So You Don’t Have To)

1. .com.au domains are tightly controlled

Registrars and the AUDA registry enforce strict policies and eligibility rules. If someone files a complaint (even falsely), you can lose your domain with minimal recourse.

2. You don’t truly “own” a .com.au domain

Even if it’s paid and managed from your account, it can be removed based on third-party reports without sufficient evidence being shared.

3. AUDA’s complaint system isn’t founder-friendly

The $3,000 dispute filing fee means most small businesses simply can’t challenge wrongful decisions. This creates an environment of quiet abuse.

4. With .com and .ai, you have real control

These domains are governed by global rules (ICANN) and market competition — giving founders portability, redundancy, and stronger legal standing in many cases.

🔄 My Current Strategy

Today, all of my active businesses, including upcoming AI platforms, are launched using:

• ✅ .com — for global credibility

• ✅ .ai — for relevance in tech and innovation

• ❌ No .com.au — I will not build on unstable ground

This isn’t a boycott. It’s just risk management.

👥 A Message to Fellow Founders

If you’re building a startup in Australia:

• Choose domain sovereignty first.

• Use .com.au only if you're prepared for its limitations.

• Keep your DNS backed up and your zone records documented.

• Consider domains as assets, not just names — protect them accordingly.

📜 Disclaimer

This post reflects my personal experience and opinion. I make no accusations against any individual or company. My intention is to raise awareness and encourage transparency in the Australian digital ecosystem.

If this resonates with you — share it, talk about it, and let others know.
Because until systems are reformed, we must build wisely.

—
Mahendra Pratap Singh