Fun Fact: WHOIS isn’t an acronym, though it may look like one. In fact, it is the system that asks the question, who is responsible for a domain name or an IP address? ~ICANN
Every year, millions of individuals, businesses, organizations and governments register domain names. Each one must provide identifying and contact information which may include: name, address, email, phone number, and administrative and technical contacts. This information is often referred to as “WHOIS data.” But the WHOIS service is not a single, centrally-operated database. Instead, the data is managed by independent entities known as “registrars” and “registries.”
Based on existing consensus policies and contracts, ICANN is committed to implementing measures to maintain timely, unrestricted and public access to accurate and complete WHOIS information, subject to applicable laws. To do that, registrars and registries provide public access to data on registered domain names. Anyone can use the WHOIS protocol to search their databases and identify the domain name registrant.
Domain name registrants play a key role in ensuring the accuracy of WHOIS. As a domain name registrant, you are required to provide accurate WHOIS contact data, and maintain its accuracy throughout the term of your registration period.
When you register a domain name, you must give your registrar accurate and reliable contact details, and correct and update them promptly if there are any changes during the term of the registration period. This obligation is part of your registration agreement with the registrar.
If you give wrong information on purpose, or don’t update your information promptly if there is a change, your domain name registration may be suspended or even cancelled. This could also happen if you don’t respond to inquiries by your registrar if they contact you about the accuracy of your contact information.
On an annual basis, your registrar is required to send you an annual reminder of your obligation to maintain the accuracy of your WHOIS contact data. Please review the information provided by your registrar in this reminder carefully and make any necessary corrections.
If you would not want your whois information displayed, we profoundly discourage you from providing wrong whois information. You can contact us to apply for whois domain ID protection at a small fee.
The above information has been derived from ICANN. Read more
Disclaimer! Kindly note that this information is subject to change in compliance with GDPR. Further edits will be provided then. The main discussion is that the registrant email , name, street and city should be anonymized.
.Ke Domains
Please note that the registry in charge of .ke domains, Kenic, also requires all registrants to provide accurate whois details. In the event you would like to hide your whois details for your .ke domain, you can contact us on the same. No fee is applied.
Leave your comment below if you have further questions on whois details.
Related reads:
A wrong email address will cost you your domain.
How to avoid domain name disputes.