Published: 07.05.2026
Every domain has a registrant record with a name, address, e-mail and telephone number. In the past this information was public in WHOIS, and spammers collected it. Privacy services and modern rules now reduce the exposure, but it is still worth understanding what is visible.
What is WHOIS?
WHOIS (and its modern replacement RDAP) is the public directory of domain registrations. It answers who is responsible for a domain and how to contact them.
Why hide the data?
- Spam and phishing: e-mail addresses from WHOIS are harvested by robots.
- Telemarketing and unsolicited offers by phone.
- Personal safety, when a home address is used.
- Social engineering, where an attacker pretends to be the owner.
What does a privacy service do?
The registrar replaces your details in the public record with proxy data. Messages sent to the proxy address are forwarded to you, and you stay the legal owner of the domain.
Is it always available?
Many country extensions do not allow privacy services, but publish only limited data by default. Check the rules of your extension in the domain settings.
Should you hide your data completely?
The data you submit must remain accurate. ICANN requires valid contact details, and providing false data can lead to the suspension of the domain. Privacy protection keeps the real data on file with the registrar while hiding it from the public.
How to enable it
- Open the domain in your client area.
- Find the ID protection option in the add-ons or management menu.
- Order it and wait for the status to change to active.
Checklist
- Use a dedicated e-mail address for domains.
- Watch for the verification e-mail after registration and respond within 15 days.
- Do not publish your private address when a business address is available.
