WHOIS is a widely used Internet protocol and database for querying information about domain name registrations.
When you register a domain name, you must provide contact information to your domain registrar, which is then
stored in the WHOIS database. This information is publicly accessible and includes details about the domain
owner, registrar, registration dates, and nameservers.
WHOIS serves as a critical tool for transparency and accountability on the internet, enabling individuals and
organizations to identify domain ownership, investigate potential trademark infringement, combat fraud and spam,
and verify domain authenticity. The system has been a fundamental part of internet infrastructure since 1982.
The implementation of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in 2018 significantly impacted WHOIS data
availability. Many domain registrars now redact personal information from public WHOIS records to comply with
privacy regulations. Instead of showing the registrant's actual contact information, you may see privacy
service details or generic registrar information.
WHOIS Privacy Protection Many registrars offer privacy protection services that replace your personal information with proxy details in WHOIS databases, helping protect against spam and identity theft.
Redacted WHOIS Data Post-GDPR, you may encounter redacted WHOIS records where personal information is hidden. Administrative and technical contacts are often replaced with generic registrar emails.
Legitimate Access Requests Law enforcement, intellectual property rights holders, and others with legitimate reasons may request full WHOIS data through proper legal channels and registrar procedures.
Thick vs. Thin WHOIS Different TLDs use different WHOIS models. "Thick" WHOIS stores complete registration data at the registry, while "Thin" WHOIS requires querying both registry and registrar.
