What is Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP)?
RDAP, or Registration Data Access Protocol, is the new standard for accessing domain registration data. If you've ever used WHOIS to check who owns a domain, RDAP is the secure, modern replacement designed to offer more control, better formatting, and compliance with data protection regulations.
Q: What is RDAP?
A: RDAP stands for Registration Data Access Protocol. It was introduced to replace the older WHOIS protocol and became a requirement for registrars and registries starting August 26, 2019. RDAP lets users view registration data (domain ownership and contact info) for generic top-level domains (gTLDs), like .com and .net.
Unlike WHOIS, RDAP supports standardized responses, secure access, and better privacy controls.
Q: What Changed with RDAP?
A: While both RDAP and WHOIS serve a similar purpose—providing domain registration information—RDAP offers several key improvements:
- Standardized Format: RDAP responses are machine-readable and consistent across registrars.
- Secure Access: It supports HTTPS, meaning data is encrypted and secure.
- Internationalization: RDAP works better for global users and supports multiple languages.
- Access Control: Registrars can offer tiered access to data (e.g., law enforcement may see more data than the general public).
Registrars historically have been required to provide public access to data related to registered generic top-level domains (gTLDs), including the creation date, domain owner contact details, and name servers. This information, known as WHOIS data, is accessible via an interactive web page that queries their database, often called port 43, as mandated by ICANN's Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA).
Q: Why Replace WHOIS?
A: WHOIS lacked the flexibility and privacy controls required by modern data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In response, ICANN created a Temporary Specification requiring registrars to implement RDAP by August 26, 2019.
RDAP supports compliance with privacy laws while giving necessary access to registration data.
More details are available through ICANN's RDAP FAQs page.
Q: Is Bluehost RDAP Compliant?
A: Yes! Bluehost registrars became RDAP-compliant as of August 26, 2019. All domain registration data provided through Bluehost aligns with the new RDAP standards.
For more technical information, you can visit ICANN's Overview.
Summary
Understanding what RDAP is helps clarify why the industry is moving away from WHOIS. RDAP is the new, secure, and standardized way to access domain registration data, ensuring better compliance with modern privacy laws and offering more structured information for users. Whether you're a domain owner or a curious user, RDAP is now the go-to protocol for domain lookup.
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You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.