The Future

[Stuart McLachlan]

okay, WHOIS is pointless now

added: seemed to be within waiting period after THAT post

IMO a privacy step too far. Public records are public records.

Yep, the vast majority of WhoIs records are now behind a privacy screen.
Forced by spammers scraping exposed contact details.

Google say:
Key benefits of WHOIS privacy

    Reduces spam and unsolicited contact:
    Spammers and marketers mine the WHOIS database for email addresses and phone numbers to build marketing lists. WHOIS privacy replaces your personal details with those of a proxy service, significantly cutting down on unwanted communications.

Protects against identity theft and fraud:
Your personal information can be used by cybercriminals to launch targeted attacks like spear-phishing or social engineering. By keeping your details private, you create a barrier that makes it much harder for them to gather the information needed for these attacks.
Shields your business from competitors:
Businesses can use WHOIS data to spy on competitors' activities, such as new domain registrations for product launches. A privacy screen keeps your strategic plans confidential, preventing competitors from getting a premature look at your business strategy.
Safeguards sensitive contact information:
When you register a domain, your name, address, and phone number are publicly listed. WHOIS privacy hides this sensitive data from public view, keeping it out of the wrong hands.
Provides peace of mind:
With your personal contact details protected, you can focus on your website or business without constantly worrying about unwanted attention or cyber threats.

ChatGPT says:
Around 70-75% of [i]new domain registrations currently have their WHOIS data redacted or use a privacy/proxy service. For existing domains, particularly those under jurisdictions affected by GDPR, it may be 85% or more in many cases. [/i]