What is GDPR?

GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulation, which went into effect on May 25, 2018. You can learn more about it here.

How does this affect my domain information?

Traditionally, WHOIS lookups displayed a domain’s registrant information--including name, phone number, email address, and physical address--to anyone who cared to look, unless the registrant purchased additional privacy services.
 
To comply with GDPR requirements, many registrars and WHOIS sources no longer show unprotected domain registrant information to the general public. Our registration partner, Tucows, has done so as well.

What do these changes look like?

Tucows has put together a helpful set of examples here.

What is Private Domain Registration?

With Private Domain Registration, WHOIS lookups show special contact information, like the email address widgetdesigns.com@contactprivacy.com. Inquiries sent to these contacts are reviewed for relevance, and we’ll send anything that’s not spam to your actual contact info. Think of it as a spam filter that covers email, physical mail, and phone calls. Learn more.

Why should I pay for Private Domain Registration if my info is already hidden?

If you don’t have Private Domain Registration, your contact information simply says Data Protected, and there’s no way to actually reach you.