WHOISlike

WHOISlike is a term used to describe a proposed standard for accessing domain registration and related data in a manner that emphasizes privacy, interoperability, and machine readability. It is not a single protocol, but a family of ideas about creating a consistent, API-based interface that could either augment or substitute for traditional WHOIS in modern registries and registrars.

Key features envisioned for WHOISlike include structured data formats such as JSON or JSON-LD, authentication and authorization controls, rate limiting, data minimization, redaction and opt-in consent for personal data, audit trails, and clear definitions of access scopes for different user roles (registrants, researchers, law enforcement, etc.). It would typically support queries by domain name, registrar, contact role, or IP-related information, returning standardized records rather than free-text WHOIS outputs.

Relationship to existing standards: The concept emerged in the context of privacy and data protection reforms affecting WHOIS. The actual standard widely adopted to address this space is RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol), which provides a modern, web-based API with access controls and data minimization. WHOISlike is often discussed as a goal for harmonization across jurisdictions or as a name for future developments that might extend or refine RDAP concepts.

Impact and challenges: Proponents argue that WHOISlike could improve privacy, data accuracy, and automation. Critics point to governance, consistency, cost, and the risk of uneven implementation across registries. No universal specification for WHOISlike has been adopted to date.