Whois Privacy

Whois databases list almost as much information about your domain name than your driver’s license does about you.
But unlike your driver’s license, your domain’s Whois is public, which means some of your personal information can be obtained by anyone querying Whois records.

It is a contraction of the terms "Who" and "Is". This search tool provides information about a domain name and details of the contacts assigned to it.
Please be aware that the data available is subject to change depending on the extension.
Whois databases list almost as much information about your domain name as your ID card does about you. But unlike your ID card, your domain’s Whois is public, which means some of your personal information can be obtained by anyone querying Whois servers.

WHOIS Privacy and GDPR

Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect, the processing and publication of personal data in WHOIS databases, which store domain name information, have been strictly regulated.

GDPR requires data controllers to restrict access to the personal data of domain name holders to third parties who can demonstrate a legitimate interest. Non-personal information, such as technical domain data or data related solely to a legal entity, remains publicly accessible. Under this framework, personal data cannot be made public without the explicit consent of the individual concerned, unless a legal or contractual obligation requires it.

Requests for access can be submitted via our dedicated page: https://dev.netim.com/en/data-policy

In the context of domain name registration, some registries enforce specific rules regarding the publication of information in WHOIS databases. These rules vary based on national laws or extension-specific policies.

Features

When registering a domain name, certain personal or business-related information may be published in the WHOIS database. However, depending on applicable regulations, it is possible to activate a data protection service through WHOIS Privacy. This feature is subject to the type of domain registered and the rules set by regulatory authorities.

For country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), Whois data privacy is defined by each registry. In some cases, opt-in protection can be activated. However, other extensions either do not allow the masking of information or mask it by default and do not allow it to be displayed, in accordance with the rules set by the relevant managing authority.

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For generic top-level domains (gTLDs), privacy policies are governed by ICANN under the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data. When WHOIS Privacy is activated, the registrant’s personal information is masked and replaced with the label "Redacted for privacy". Only specific data remains visible, including the legal entity name (if the registrant is a company) and the country of jurisdiction. This display is mandated by ICANN and cannot be modified by Netim.

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Any request for WHOIS data disclosure applies only to specific information and must follow a regulated process. In accordance with Appendix A, Article 2.5 of ICANN policies, we provide a contact form for submitting such requests while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

Implemented since 2018, this solution helps limit the exposure of personal information while remaining fully compliant with GDPR and international data protection directives. For more details on WHOIS data protection and extension-specific policies, please visit our WHOIS Privacy Service page.

WHOIS Privacy is not available for all extensions, and depending on the country, the list of hidden information may vary. For more details, you can visit the dedicated product page to learn about the specific WHOIS rules applicable to this registry.

It is important to note that the domain holder remains legally responsible for the domain name and its usage, even when WHOIS protection or a nominee service is applied. This responsibility includes compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing the domain name’s registration and use

List of extensions offering Whois privacy


Extensions Description Whois privacy

Frequently Asked Questions

You can go to our Help Center and follow our tutorial to learn how to enable Whois privacy.

Since Whois Privacy keeps domain holders’ contact information private, you can use our contact form to reach domain name owners.

Contact a holder

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