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  3. What Is Registration Data Access Protocol?

What Is Registration Data Access Protocol?

What is RDAP?

On August 26, 2019, the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) went into effect. This new protocol offers WHOIS information for top-level domains (gTLDs), such as.com and.net. WHOIS lookups will soon be replaced by RDAP, which registries and registrars are contractually compelled to implement. Users can examine the most recent registration information for a domain name via RDAP, similar to WHOIS.

What Does This Change?

The registration procedure and the services we offer to customers won’t change. The same registration information is delivered by RDAP and WHOIS, but the information will be presented in standardized data access and query answer forms. In addition to offering support for internationalization, safe data access, and a variety of access options to registration information, RDAP has further benefits over WHOIS.

Until now, registrars were required to make information about registered gTLDs (such as the creation date of the domain, the contact information for the domain owner, and name servers) accessible to the general public. Registrars give this information, often known as the WHOIS of a domain name, through an interactive web page that searches their database. This stipulation, known as port 43, is in accordance with the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) of ICANN.

Why Did This Change?

On May 25, 2018, the GDPR came into effect. As a result, ICANN published its Temporary Specification, requiring registrars to adhere to RDAP’s requirements by August 26 of 2019. On the FAQ website of ICANN, you may get further details.

Updated on September 27, 2023

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