WHOIS is a public directory that shows who registered a domain and how to contact them. Many people are surprised by how much of their personal information it can reveal. WHOIS privacy, sometimes called domain privacy, replaces those details with a generic contact address, so your name and home address are not listed publicly.
What WHOIS privacy does
When privacy is on, the public lookup shows the registrar's or a proxy service's details instead of yours. This reduces spam, unwanted calls and attempts to scam you using your listed contact information.
What WHOIS privacy does not do
Privacy does not make you anonymous to the registrar. The registrar still holds your real details, and in some cases it must share them with authorities or through legal processes. Privacy also does not remove your responsibility for the domain.
Why many owners use it
For most individuals and small businesses, privacy is a sensible default. It protects personal details from being harvested by data scrapers and reduces the risk of targeted scams.
When you may want it off
Some businesses prefer clear public contact details, because customers and partners can see who they are dealing with. A domain used for a registered company may also need its owner listed. Decide based on what your business needs.
Privacy and buying domains
When you buy a domain, check how privacy is set up on the account you use. Changes to ownership can have their own steps, and the details listed should match the person or company that owns the name.
Frequently asked questions
Does WHOIS privacy cost extra?
Some registrars include it for free, while others charge a small yearly fee. Check your account before you decide.
Can people still contact me?
Yes. The proxy or privacy service usually forwards messages to your real address, so legitimate contact still works.
Is WHOIS privacy legal?
Yes, it is a widely used and legal option. The registrar still keeps your details on file for the records it must hold.
Do I need privacy for every domain?
Not necessarily. You can choose it per domain, depending on whether the name is personal, business or for sale.
Can privacy stop a domain transfer?
It should not, but the details on the account must match the owner for the transfer to go through. Keep your information accurate.
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