What Is WHOIS DISCLOSE OFF / ON? What Is It Used For?
In the internet domain system, organizations like ICANN place great importance on the accuracy and up-to-dateness of WHOIS information. At the same time, they recognize users’ privacy preferences. The DISCLOSE OFF / ON options in the WHOIS record are used to indicate those preferences.
🔒 DISCLOSE OFF (Privacy enabled / Information hidden)
Determines whether personal details appear in the WHOIS server of the registry operator. When this option is enabled, the domain's WHOIS information hides personal data.
🌐 DISCLOSE ON (Privacy disabled / Information visible)
Means that the user agrees to make personal information publicly visible in the WHOIS server. When this is active, your details will be displayed publicly.
🔒 When to Choose DISCLOSE OFF?
User type: Individual users, personal projects, blogs, etc.
- If you don’t want your personal details (name, phone number, email, address) to be publicly visible,
- If you want to protect yourself from spam emails and unwanted calls,
- If you prefer to manage your domain privately,
- If you want to comply with data protection laws like KVKK (Turkey) or GDPR (Europe), this option is suitable.
✅ Advantage: Provides high privacy.
❌ Disadvantage: Some users may hesitate to trust the site when ownership is hidden.
🌐 When to Choose DISCLOSE ON?
User type: Corporate companies, official institutions, open projects.
- If you want to be transparent about who owns the domain,
- If you want to build trust and increase brand awareness,
- If your contact information needs to be publicly accessible for legal or operational reasons, this option is recommended.
✅ Advantage: Provides transparency and builds trust.
❌ Disadvantage: Exposes your personal details, increasing the risk of spam or misuse.
