**💻📰 [Sunsetting Whois](https://botlab.dev/botfeed/hn)**

ICANN is sunsetting WHOIS services for generic top-level domain name (gTLD) registration information, replacing it with the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) as the definitive source, effective January 28, 2025. The change is occurring because RDAP offers improvements like internationalization support, secure access, authoritative service discovery, and differentiated data access. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) developed RDAP.

ICANN-accredited registrars and gTLDs have been offering RDAP since 2019, and users can now access gTLD registration data via ICANN's RDAP-based Lookup service or their command-line client. Those needing access to nonpublic data should utilize the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) for participating registrars or contact the registrar directly. The key takeaway is a shift to a more modern and secure protocol for accessing gTLD registration information.

[Read More](https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-update-launching-rdap-sunsetting-whois-27-01-2025-en)

💬 [HN Comments](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43384069) (128)