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From 21st August 2025, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) officially rolled out the Registration Data Policy (RDP). This long-awaited update is designed to standardize, simplify, and safeguard domain registration data across registrars and registries worldwide.

As a domain owner or reseller, you might be wondering What does this mean for me?
In this blog, we’ll break down the policy, the key changes, and action steps you should take to stay compliant.

Why Did ICANN Introduce the Registration Data Policy?

Over the last decade, challenges related to privacy, data security, and ownership disputes around domains have increased significantly. Different registries followed different rules

• Some required full contact details for WHOIS

• Others only needed limited data

This inconsistency created:

• Lack of uniformity across registries
• Privacy challenges for domain owners
• Legal disputes about domain ownership

To solve these issues, ICANN launched the Registration Data Policy (RDP). It establishes a global standard for collecting, storing, and displaying domain registration data.

Key Changes Introduced by the New Policy

Let’s dive into the most important updates every domain owner should know.

1. Registries Moving to a THIN Data Model

Traditionally, registries stored full contact information: Registrant, Admin, Tech, and Billing.

Now, with RDP, some registries will only require a limited subset of data (THIN model).

• What stays the same?
  Your registrar (like DianaHost) will continue collecting all four contact types during registration.
• What changes?
  On the backend, only the minimum required data will be sent to the registry.
• Impact on you:
  No action is required. Your registration process remains the same, but data handling is more secure.

2. Registrant Organization as the Legal Owner

This is the biggest change under the new ICANN policy.

• If the Organization field is filled:
  That organization is recognized as the legal domain owner (Registered Name Holder).
• If the Organization field is empty:
  The individual listed in the Registrant field will be considered the owner.
• Privacy update:
  Even if an Organization name is provided, it will be redacted by default in WHOIS/RDAP. Owners may choose to “opt-in” to make their organization’s name publicly visible.

Why this matters:
In disputes or verification cases, ICANN and registries will now rely strictly on the Organization field, not the Registrant’s personal name.

3. Control Panel Notifications for Customers

To ensure clarity, registrars (including DianaHost) will display notifications inside the domain management panel:

• Customers will be informed that their Organization field is redacted by default.
• They will have the option to opt in and publish their organization details.

This ensures transparency and helps domain owners make informed decisions.

Why the Organization Field Matters More Than Ever

Previously, many businesses and individuals left the Organization field blank while registering domains. They assumed the Registrant’s individual name would be enough.

With the new ICANN RDP:

• Businesses should always enter their legal entity name in the Organization field.
• This ensures that the company, not an employee, owns the domain.
• In cases of staff changes or disputes, the domain remains tied to the business entity.

Example scenario:
Imagine an employee registers a company’s domain under their own name, leaving the Organization field blank. When the employee leaves, ownership disputes may arise. Under RDP, such risks can be avoided if the Organization field is properly filled.

How This Affects WHOIS and RDAP Lookups

WHOIS and RDAP are public databases that display domain ownership details.

• Before RDP, Full Registrant and Organization details were often visible.
• After RDP:
  • Organization names are hidden by default.
  • Individuals’ names may still appear (depending on local privacy laws).
  • Domain owners can choose to make their Organization visible.

This enhances privacy protection while still giving owners control over visibility.

Action Points for Domain Owners

Here’s how you can stay compliant and safeguard your domain:

1. Review your domain contact details
   Log in to your DianaHost account and check your Organization field.
2. For businesses/companies
   Always enter your legal business name. This ensures the company, not an individual, is recognized as the legal owner.
3. For individuals
   No changes needed—your personal details continue to be valid.
4. Decide on WHOIS publication
   By default, Organization details are hidden. Choose whether you want them visible.
5. Educate your team
   If multiple people manage domains in your company, ensure they understand these updates.

How DianaHost Is Supporting You

At DianaHost, our priority is to keep your domains safe, secure, and internationally compliant.

We’re ensuring:

• Collection of all four contact types (Registrant, Admin, Tech, Billing)
• Automatic backend compliance with ICANN requirements
• In-panel notifications for Organization field handling
• 24/7 support for all domain-related queries

With these updates, you can trust that your domain ownership is legally protected and your privacy is respected.

Final Thoughts

The ICANN Registration Data Policy (RDP) 2025 is a major step forward toward a secure, consistent, and transparent domain ecosystem.

Key takeaways:

• If you’re a business, always fill in the Organization field.
• If you’re an individual, no changes required, just ensure your details are accurate.
• By default, Organization names are hidden, but you can choose to make them public.

At DianaHost, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you need help updating your domain contact details, our support team is ready to assist.

Stay compliant. Stay secure. Ensure your domain reflects your true ownership.