Domain Name Registration Data Lookup (before Whois - ARDS)

2019: Domain Name Registration Data Lookup

The ICANN corporation changed the address of the website on which the tool for data retrieval of registrants of domain names is posted, reported on August 2, 2019 in "The coordination center of domains. RU/.RF". This tool is known to all under the name Whois, and the name not only became usual for many years of its use, but also speaks for itself (Who is means "who it"). However from the former name as noted in CC, it is necessary to wean. The rules Whois require disclosure of a part of personal data of the registrant and that contradict provisions of the General regulations on data protection (GDPR) which became effective in the European Union countries.

Alternative of Whois the Domain Name Registration Data Lookup service — the client application which is used by the RDAP protocol (Registration Data Access Protocol) approved by Engineering Council of the Internet is urged to become.

The temporary policy of ICANN entered because of a contradiction of Whois and GDPR provides that till August 26 all registries and registrars connected with corporation contracts should start new RDAP services — if not instead of the existing Whois services then in parallel with them. And ICANN decided to set an example, having refused the use of the term Whois.

Earlier the website of corporation for data retrieval of registrants was located at whois.icann.org. According to the Domain Incite resource, now the address of the page changed on lookup.icann.org (if in a search line to enter whois.icann.org, then the redirect on lookup.icann.org will automatically be executed). The word lookup can be translated as "search" or "targeting of references", and in this sense the offered name, though concedes to former whois, nevertheless rather informatively. Unfortunately, service by special informational content cannot brag: in response to a request for registrants of domain names it issues only handbook data of the relevant registries and registrars.

2013: Aggregated Registration Data Services (ARDS)

The international corporation ICANN announced in the summer of 2013 intention to replace "obsolete" service Whois - service thanks to which it is possible to receive the information about owners of domain names. Around Whois is conducted many disputes. This service is criticized almost by all: from representatives of the governments and the organizations to ordinary net surfers.

The new service of ARDS (Aggregated Registration Data Services) is intended to eliminate the main defects of Whois service. For simplification of fight against cyber crime of ICANN will oblige owners of domains to specify exact personal data, but will protect at the same time the rights of owners of domains to personal privacy.

The ordinary net surfer will have limited access to data. For example, he will not be able to learn a home or work address of the owner of the domain. And here law enforcement officers will be able to see this information, having shown the relevant documents.

The existing practice of anonymous access to all information on the owner of the domain will be abolished. It will spam-protect owners of domains and also will give the chance to provide to different users different information volume.

The ARDS service will be centralized, i.e. one company working under the contract with ICANN, but not all registries and registrars at the same time will render this service.

"New service will have a number of advantages. But there are moments which should pay special attention. Existence of the uniform center of storage of personal information creates threat of abuses of insiders and also the external attacks. Undoubtedly, the new service will demand the special system of protection. It is very good that the project is subject to discussion, and ICANN is ready to listen to opinion of interested persons", - Sharikov Sergey, the director of the company of Webnames.ru noted.

Development of ARDS only begins, and new service will be able to replace Whois not earlier than in several years.

2012: Whois is the network protocol of the application layer

As of June, 2012 the Whois service is the network protocol of the application layer which main objective is obtaining registration data on owners of domain names, the IP addresses and autonomous systems. Both professionals of the domain market, and a wide range of users use Whois as an available and efficient searching tool of necessary information on the specific domain. Most often service is popular for finding of information on the current owner of the domain, its contact information, registration dates and releases of domain name.