Domain privacy is changing at Namecheap

[lightlyused]

https://www.namecheap.com/blog/domain-privacy-is-changing-at-namecheap/

[gfxgirl]

TL;DR:

Namecheap is switching from "WhoisGuard" to "Withheld for Privacy". Why?

> Importantly, Withheld for Privacy does not require your personal data, meaning your information is stored and stays with Namecheap.

The implication is that WhoisGuard required your info (provided by Namecheap) and Withheld for Privacy does not.

[0x0]

Weird that the first time I hear about this is on HN. Namecheap is pretty good at regularly emailing "offers" and other meh things, but this.. I haven't seen mentioned yet :-/

Also. What exactly is it with this new service that "offers better privacy"?

[meibo → 0x0]

I've received the email about an hour ago. Sending mail to all their customers probably takes a while, so you'll probably get it soon.

[tln → 0x0]

I've got emails from namecheap about this, and they link to this blog post. Doesn't seem unusual for a mass email to take longer to go out than a post can be upvoted on HN

The article mentions "Withheld for Privacy does not require your personal data"

[CydeWeys → tln]

> The article mentions "Withheld for Privacy does not require your personal data"

Yeah, so then what even is Withheld for Privacy's service doing? It can't even be an email reflector as that'd require your email address, which is personal data. So what service does this company even provide and why isn't NameCheap running it in-house?

[TazeTSchnitzel → CydeWeys]

It could in fact be email redirection if they forward to a Namecheap address which then forwards to you.

[CydeWeys → TazeTSchnitzel]

That seems like a completely unnecessary extra step that isn't offering any added value, though.

Maybe the answer has something to do with ICANN requirements?

[ilumanty → 0x0]

I asked this myself as well. The entire article sounds quite apologetic.

[yarosv → ilumanty]

I don't feel like it. Looks like more of an explanation so people don't feel weird when they see Domain Privacy instead of WhoisGuard in the renewal screen.

[karamanolev → 0x0]

Doesn't sound so much as offering more or less (it's free for Namecheap customers), more like just changing providers for whatever reason.

[coldcode → 0x0]

Probably because the new service does not actually require your personal info, whereas the previous service did. That would make it a GDPR issue. The message is not clear, but from what they did say, seems like it is.

[noja]

> we have decided to switch domain privacy protection service providers

You what now? What the hell? They weren't just sticking their own details in the public whois?

[RileyJames]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t WhoIsGuard been free via Namecheap for some time? Both on registration and renewal?

Is this new service also free? If not, I’d conclude the real motive is $$$

Been happy with Namecheap, beyond the slow creep of prices.

[Macha → RileyJames]

> We will have switched domain privacy providers by March 17th, 2021. You will mostly remain unaffected by this change, and will continue to:

> ... snip ...

> Free for life with every new registration or transfer.

> - This service is free for as long as you remain a Namecheap customer.

[Havoc]

Doesn’t seem like a significant change to me