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WHOIS is a query-response protocol used to retrieve registration data about domain names. It shows: the registrar, registration and expiry dates, nameservers, domain status codes, and historically, registrant contact information. Since GDPR came into force in 2018, most registrant contact details are now redacted or replaced with privacy proxy information.
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern replacement for the legacy WHOIS protocol, standardised by ICANN in 2015. Unlike traditional WHOIS (which returns plain text), RDAP returns structured JSON data, supports access controls for redacted fields, uses HTTPS for security, and has a more consistent format across registrars.
Since GDPR took effect in May 2018, and similar privacy laws globally, registrars are required to redact or anonymise personal registrant data. This applies to individuals in the EU but many registrars apply it globally for simplicity. Privacy proxy services further mask registrant data.
Common status codes include: clientTransferProhibited (cannot be transferred to another registrar — standard for active domains), clientDeleteProhibited (cannot be deleted), serverHold (domain is suspended), redemptionPeriod (recently expired, in a grace period), pendingDelete (about to be released for registration). Most healthy active domains show clientTransferProhibited as a normal status.