WHOIS Privacy by TLD: Which Domain Extensions Support Privacy Protection
Comprehensive guide to privacy protection across different TLDs, including GDPR impact and registry-specific policies
Understanding WHOIS Privacy Across TLDs
When you register a domain, your personal information—name, address, email, and phone number—becomes part of the public WHOIS database. However, privacy protection varies dramatically depending on which top-level domain (TLD) you choose. Some TLDs provide automatic privacy protection thanks to GDPR, others require paid privacy services, and some prohibit privacy protection entirely.
Understanding these differences is crucial for protecting your personal information, avoiding spam, and complying with privacy regulations. This guide breaks down privacy protection by TLD category, explains the impact of GDPR, and provides specific recommendations for privacy-conscious domain buyers.
The GDPR Revolution: Automatic Privacy for gTLDs
How GDPR Changed WHOIS Forever
For generic TLDs (gTLDs) like .com, .net, and .org, WHOIS privacy isn't necessary, because the information will be redacted through GDPR. This also applies to new TLDs (nTLDs) like .app, .dev, and others.
Key GDPR Impact:
- Effective Date: May 25, 2018 - GDPR fundamentally changed WHOIS practices
- ICANN Response: Introduced Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data
- Automatic Redaction: Personal data now automatically hidden in gTLD WHOIS
- No Cost: Privacy protection built-in, no additional fees required
What Information Is Redacted
Under GDPR compliance, gTLD WHOIS records now typically show:
❌ Hidden (Personal Data):
- Registrant name (individuals)
- Registrant physical address
- Registrant email address
- Registrant phone number
- Admin contact details
- Tech contact details
✓ Visible (Non-Personal Data):
- Domain name
- Registrar name
- Registration date
- Expiration date
- Name servers
- Domain status
Which TLDs Have Automatic GDPR Privacy
Automatic Privacy Protection (No Cost):
- .com - 157.6M registrations, GDPR-protected
- .net - 13.0M registrations, GDPR-protected
- .org - 4.6% of all websites, GDPR-protected
- .info, .biz, .name - Traditional gTLDs, GDPR-protected
- New gTLDs: .app, .dev, .tech, .online, .store, .shop, etc.
- Tech TLDs: .io, .ai, .co (repurposed ccTLDs treated as gTLDs)
Important Note: While GDPR provides automatic privacy for individuals, organizations may still have some information published. The level of redaction can vary slightly by registrar's interpretation of GDPR requirements.
Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): Varied Privacy Policies
Why ccTLD Privacy Varies
For country code TLDs (ccTLDs), check the policies for the specific TLD to determine their stance on WHOIS data, and apply WHOIS privacy when it's available. Unlike gTLDs which follow ICANN policies, each ccTLD is managed by its country's registry with its own rules, local privacy laws, and cultural norms around data transparency.
European ccTLDs: Strong Privacy Protection
European ccTLDs generally offer excellent privacy protection thanks to GDPR and local data protection laws:
.de (Germany) - Automatic Privacy Since 2018
- Policy: Since May 25, 2018, DENIC (German registry) put extensive changes into force. Third parties can no longer access domain ownership data with few exceptions.
- Protection Level: Automatic, no cost
- Registry: DENIC
- Note: Privacy protection cannot be purchased separately (not needed)
.fr (France) - Default Privacy for Individuals
- Policy: By default, individual domain name holders benefit from restricted publishing of their personal data in AFNIC public WHOIS
- Protection Level: Automatic for individuals, companies data published
- Renewal Rate: 83.4% (highest globally, indicating user satisfaction)
- Registry: AFNIC
.eu (European Union) - Individual Privacy Protection
- Policy: If registrant is a natural person, only email address is shown in public WHOIS unless specified otherwise
- Protection Level: Automatic for individuals
- Renewal Rate: 83% (second-highest globally)
- Registry: EURid
.ch and .li (Switzerland/Liechtenstein) - Complete Privacy Since 2021
- Policy: Since January 1, 2021, WHOIS information is private by default and can be obtained only in limited cases
- Protection Level: Strongest privacy protection among all TLDs
- Registry: SWITCH
.it (Italy) - Individual Privacy with Consent
- Policy: Contact data of individuals is not published unless consent is given explicitly. For companies, data is always published.
- Protection Level: Automatic for individuals (opt-in for public)
- Registry: Registro.it
.fi (Finland) - Individual Privacy Since 2019
- Policy: Individual persons' data is not published (changed in 2019), but for companies, associations, etc., data is published
- Protection Level: Automatic for individuals since 2019
- Registry: Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
.nl (Netherlands) - No Privacy Protection Available
- Policy: WHOIS privacy protection cannot be used with .nl domains
- Protection Level: None available
- Registry: SIDN
- Note: Despite being 3rd largest European ccTLD, .nl requires public registration data
UK ccTLDs - No Privacy Protection
.uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk - Public Registration Required:
- Policy: Nominet (UK registry) requires public WHOIS information
- Protection Level: None available
- Registry: Nominet
- Impact: 6th largest TLD globally, but no privacy option
- Workaround: Some registrants use company addresses or PO boxes
North American ccTLDs
.ca (Canada) - No Privacy Protection
- Policy: Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) requires public WHOIS
- Protection Level: None available
- Requirement: Must have Canadian presence to register
- Registry: CIRA
.us (United States) - No Privacy Protection
- Policy: WHOIS privacy protection cannot be used with .us domains
- Protection Level: None available
- Requirement: Must be U.S. citizen, resident, or organization
- Registry: Neustar (Registry Services, LLC)
Australian ccTLDs - No Privacy Protection
.au, .com.au, .net.au, .org.au - Public Registration:
- Policy: Privacy protection cannot be used
- Protection Level: None available
- Registry: auDA (Australian Domain Administration)
- Note: 10th largest TLD globally, but requires public data
Asian ccTLDs
Privacy Varies by Country:
- .cn (China): No privacy protection available, public registration required
- .in (India): No privacy protection available
- .sg (Singapore): No privacy protection available
- .co.in: No privacy protection available
- Note: Most Asian ccTLDs require public WHOIS data
Other ccTLDs Prohibiting Privacy
Additional TLDs Where Privacy Cannot Be Used:
- .ad (Andorra), .es (Spain), .com.es, .nom.es, .org.es
- .gg (Guernsey), .is (Iceland), .id (Indonesia)
- .nu (Niue), .to (Tonga)
- Geographic gTLDs: .nyc, .paris, .kyoto
- Specialized: .law, .music, .vote, .voto
Privacy Protection Services: How They Work
What is WHOIS Privacy/Domain Privacy?
For TLDs that don't have automatic privacy, domain privacy services (also called WHOIS privacy or private registration) replace your personal information in the public WHOIS database with the privacy service's contact information, while still forwarding any legitimate communications to you.
How Privacy Services Work
- Proxy Registration: Privacy service becomes the public registrant of record
- Information Replacement: Your data is replaced with privacy service's generic contact info
- Email Forwarding: Legitimate emails forwarded to your real address
- Spam Filtering: Most privacy services filter obvious spam before forwarding
- You Retain Control: You still own and fully control the domain
Costs and Availability
- Free at Some Registrars: Many registrars include WHOIS privacy free with gTLD registrations (though not needed due to GDPR)
- Paid Services: Typically $5-15/year when required
- Unavailable: Cannot be purchased for ccTLDs that prohibit it
- Unnecessary: Not needed for gTLDs due to automatic GDPR protection
Limitations of Privacy Services
- Legal Requests: Privacy services must comply with court orders and law enforcement
- Trademark Disputes: Your information can be revealed in UDRP proceedings
- Abuse Complaints: Some privacy services reveal data for legitimate abuse reports
- Transfer Complications: May require temporary privacy removal for domain transfers
Privacy Comparison Tables
Quick Reference: Privacy by TLD Category
| TLD Category | Privacy Available | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com, .net, .org | ✅ Automatic | Free (GDPR) | Personal data auto-redacted |
| New gTLDs (.io, .ai, .shop, etc.) | ✅ Automatic | Free (GDPR) | Same as traditional gTLDs |
| .de (Germany) | ✅ Automatic | Free | Since May 2018 |
| .fr (France) | ✅ For Individuals | Free | Companies published |
| .eu (European Union) | ✅ For Individuals | Free | Email may be shown |
| .ch, .li (Swiss) | ✅ Automatic | Free | Strongest protection |
| .uk, .co.uk | ❌ Not Available | N/A | Public registration required |
| .ca (Canada) | ❌ Not Available | N/A | Public registration required |
| .us (United States) | ❌ Not Available | N/A | Public registration required |
| .au (Australia) | ❌ Not Available | N/A | Public registration required |
| .nl (Netherlands) | ❌ Not Available | N/A | Public despite being EU |
Strategic Recommendations
Choosing TLDs for Maximum Privacy
For Individual Privacy-Conscious Buyers:
- Best Choice: .com, .net, .org, or new gTLDs (.io, .ai, .shop)
Automatic GDPR protection, no cost, widest selection - European Alternative: .eu, .de, .fr, .ch, .li
Strong local privacy laws, automatic for individuals - Avoid if Privacy Critical: .uk, .ca, .us, .au, .nl
No privacy protection available, public registration
For Businesses
Strategic Privacy Considerations:
- Local Presence: If operating in UK, Canada, Australia, accept that ccTLD requires public registration
- Use Business Address: For ccTLDs without privacy, use business address instead of personal
- Global Strategy: Use .com for main site (privacy protected), ccTLDs for local market versions
- Consider Trade-offs: Strong local SEO (.de, .uk) vs. privacy protection (.com)
Workarounds for No-Privacy TLDs
If you must use a TLD without privacy protection:
- Business Registration: Register domain under company name and address
- PO Box: Use PO Box or virtual office address instead of home address
- Dedicated Email: Create domain-specific email address, not personal email
- Phone Service: Use Google Voice or similar for domain registration phone number
- Accept Trade-off: Understand public listing is required for certain ccTLDs
Common Questions About WHOIS Privacy
Q: Do I need to buy WHOIS privacy for .com domains?
A: No. Since GDPR (May 2018), .com and all gTLDs automatically redact personal information from public WHOIS. Some registrars still sell "privacy protection" for .com, but it's redundant and unnecessary.
Q: Why does my registrar still offer WHOIS privacy for .com?
A: Many registrars haven't updated their marketing or want to monetize an unnecessary service. GDPR provides automatic protection for all gTLDs regardless of whether you pay for additional privacy.
Q: Can I get privacy protection for .uk domains?
A: No. Nominet (UK registry) requires public WHOIS information for all .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, and .me.uk domains. Privacy protection cannot be purchased or enabled for these extensions.
Q: Does WHOIS privacy affect domain ownership?
A: No. You still own and fully control the domain. Privacy services only replace what's shown publicly in WHOIS—they don't change actual ownership or your control over the domain.
Q: What's the most private TLD I can choose?
A: .ch and .li (Switzerland/Liechtenstein) offer the strongest privacy protection, with WHOIS information private by default since January 2021 and obtainable only in very limited cases. For broader use, any gTLD (.com, .net, .io, .ai) provides excellent automatic GDPR protection.
Key Takeaways
- •.com, .net, .org, and all new gTLDs have automatic GDPR privacy—no cost, no action needed
- •European ccTLDs (.de, .fr, .eu, .ch, .li) offer strong privacy protection for individuals
- •.uk, .ca, .us, .au, .nl do NOT allow privacy protection—public registration required
- •Don't pay for "WHOIS privacy" on .com—GDPR already provides it automatically since 2018
- •.ch and .li offer strongest privacy globally (private by default since 2021)
- •For privacy-critical needs, choose gTLDs or European ccTLDs over Anglo/Commonwealth ccTLDs
- •Businesses can use company addresses for ccTLDs that prohibit privacy