When it comes to public Whois data, almost all information about domain name ownership has been redacted due to privacy regulations like GDPR. However, there is still one exception to this rule: the .us top level domain.



It might come as a surprise to some people, but all Whois information for .us domains remains available on the web. While the U.S. government is considering changing this, they are not planning on taking it to the same extreme as other top level domains.

GoDaddy Registry, which manages the .us namespace, has proposed a system to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that would reduce access to Whois. They suggest creating a gateway system and placing Whois information behind this gateway, so it's no longer freely and anonymously available on the web.

Under this proposal, people requesting Whois data would need to provide a reason. Selecting one from a predefined list would grant them instant access, while giving another reason would require a waiting period of a day or two. Marketing purposes would be prohibited, but law enforcement entities could be pre-authorized for instant access.

However, requestors would have to agree to terms of service and provide their name and email address, although it is unclear how this information would be validated. This proposal seems to favor trademark and law enforcement interests while limiting bulk marketing to .us domain registrants.

Hopefully, access and terms of service will remain as open as possible while avoiding solicitations and spam from bulk Whois data harvesters. It's important to note that people who wish to view Whois information for journalistic research should still have that option. Additionally, domain owners could benefit from receiving information about requestors.

The recent reduction in access to .us domain name ownership data has significantly impacted my workflow and approach to creating websites. Previously, I could easily access the Whois database to obtain detailed information about domain owners, including contact details and registration history. This allowed me to efficiently verify the legitimacy of a client's requested domain and ensure that it was available for use.
However, with the changes in access to .us domain ownership data, I am now challenged to find alternative methods to confirm the authenticity of domain ownership. This introduces a new level of complexity and uncertainty into the web design process.

One of the immediate impacts is on the initial stages of a web design project. It is common for clients to provide their desired domain name along with other project requirements. Previously, I could quickly check the availability and ownership of the domain to advise the client and proceed with the design process. Now, the process of domain verification requires more time and effort, as it may involve contacting the domain registrar directly or using third-party verification services, which are often less reliable and may incur additional costs.
It is vital to ensure that the client holds legitimate ownership of the chosen domain name. Without easy access to accurate domain ownership data, there is a risk of unintentionally designing a website for a client who may not have the legal right to use the domain, potentially resulting in legal disputes and reputational damage for both the client and myself.

Moreover, the new restrictions on accessing domain ownership data have also raised concerns about security and trustworthiness. Identifying and reporting fraudulent or malicious websites is more challenging without transparent access to domain ownership information. This has implications for the overall integrity and safety of the websites I design and for the users who interact with them.

In response to these challenges, I must adapt my approach to verifying domain ownership, incorporating additional measures to ensure the legitimacy and security of the websites I create. This might involve developing more robust client verification processes, collaborating closely with domain registrars, and staying updated on evolving regulations and industry best practices.