of today, the Whois system — the long-standing method of retrieving domain name ownership data — has been officially replaced by RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol).

While the change may seem minimal for casual users (especially since most domain ownership details are hidden behind privacy services), it\'s a significant technical shift. RDAP offers similar data to Whois but delivers it through a more modern, secure, and standardized protocol.

However, this update could have broader implications for many internet systems. As DomainTools CEO Tim Chennoted on Domain Name Wire Podcast #517, numerous tools and services rely on Whois data structures. These may break or require updates if registrars and registries begin shutting down their Whois services entirely, which they\'re now permitted to do under ICANN rules.

Despite the transition, many registrars are expected to keep Whois running in parallel for some time to avoid disrupting dependent systems.

RDAP data can now be accessed via ICANN’s website, but industry outlets like Domain Name Wire may continue to refer to it as \"Whois\" for familiarity.