WHOIS is Dead: What This Means for Domain Registrars and Our Clients

Jan 31, 2025, 12:05 PM

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The evolution of WHOIS data accessibility has been a topic of discussion for years, and the latest shift—essentially marking the 'death' of traditional WHOIS—presents new challenges and considerations for domain registrars like us. As a registrar, our role is to facilitate domain registrations while ensuring compliance with global policies and regulations. However, with public WHOIS data now largely restricted, how does this impact businesses, brand owners, and cybersecurity professionals who rely on domain transparency?

The Challenges of WHOIS Restrictions

The reduction of publicly available WHOIS data under GDPR and similar privacy laws has changed how stakeholders interact with domain ownership information. For brand protection specialists, legal teams, and security experts, the lack of instant access to registrant data makes it harder to:

• Identify bad actors using domains for fraudulent activities.
• Enforce intellectual property rights against cybersquatters and counterfeiters.
• Investigate phishing campaigns and other online threats.
• Contact domain owners for legitimate inquiries, such as acquisitions or dispute resolution.

While these changes have been framed as privacy-enhancing, they also create a veil that can be exploited by those seeking to abuse the domain name system (DNS) without accountability.

Our Role as a Domain Registrar

As a registrar, we navigate this evolving landscape with a dual responsibility: protecting registrant privacy while ensuring that legitimate rights holders and security professionals can still obtain necessary data through appropriate channels. We address these challenges by:

• Providing Tiered Access: We facilitate access to WHOIS data for verified legal and security requests in line with ICANN and registry policies.
• Supporting Brand Protection Efforts: Our Mark Protect service offers domain monitoring and enforcement solutions that help businesses track and respond to abusive domain registrations.
• Enhancing Security Measures: We work with clients to implement proactive security solutions, such as DNSSEC, domain locking, and robust verification processes to prevent fraudulent registrations.
• Facilitating Domain Disputes: With WHOIS restrictions limiting transparency, we assist clients in navigating UDRP and domain recovery cases by streamlining the necessary processes for evidence collection.

Where Do We Go from Here?

While the traditional WHOIS system may be a thing of the past, the demand for accountability in domain registrations has not disappeared. The industry is shifting toward new models, such as the proposed Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP), which aims to balance privacy with legitimate access requests. However, adoption remains fragmented, and there is still a need for a global, standardised approach that works for all stakeholders.

As a domain registrar, we remain committed to helping our clients safeguard their online presence and brand reputation despite these challenges. Whether it's through domain monitoring, dispute resolution, or strategic advisory on portfolio management, we ensure that businesses have the tools and support they need to navigate the evolving domain landscape.

Final Thoughts

The 'death' of public WHOIS may have complicated domain transparency, but it doesn't mean brand protection and security are impossible. As a registrar, we advocate for practical solutions that uphold privacy while enabling businesses to operate safely online. The key is adapting to these changes with a proactive approach—one that balances compliance, security, and the needs of legitimate stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.

If you're concerned about the impact of WHOIS restrictions on your brand or online security, contact our team to explore tailored solutions.