The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has launched a WHOIS Privacy Redaction service aimed at bolstering data protection for users of Nigeria’s .ng country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), according to the domain name manager.
The registry service, now live, allows registrants of .ng domain names to conceal personal details—including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses—from public access in the WHOIS database, Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA says today in a statement made available to Technology Times.
These fields are replaced with the label “Data Redacted”, a move NiRA says is designed to enhance user privacy, reduce spam, and align Nigeria’s domain ecosystem with international best practices.
The President of NiRA, says the service marks a major step in protecting the data of domain holders while reinforcing trust in the .ng domain space.
“The introduction of WHOIS Privacy Redaction is a pivotal development for the .ng domain ecosystem,” Akinsanya says. “At NiRA, we are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our registrants and fostering a secure online environment. This free service reflects our dedication to data protection, public trust, and the continued growth of the .ng ccTLD.”
“The introduction of WHOIS Privacy Redaction is a pivotal development for the .ng domain ecosystem,” Akinsanya says. “At NiRA, we are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our registrants and fostering a secure online environment. This free service reflects our dedication to data protection, public trust, and the continued growth of the .ng ccTLD.”
While contact details of registrants are redacted, technical information such as domain status, nameservers, and registration or expiry dates remain publicly accessible to maintain operational transparency and stability.
NiRA confirms that it has created a structured mechanism to support legitimate access to redacted information. This includes registrar-mediated processes for handling lawful inquiries, such as those from law enforcement agencies, while continuing to protect the privacy of domain name holders.
The initiative, according to the Nigerian domain name manager, stems from multi-stakeholder consultations, and was endorsed at the NiRA Registrars Forum held on 30 October 2024. It follows formal recommendations by the Domain Name Policy Committee and subsequent approval by NiRA’s Executive Board of Directors.
WHOIS Privacy Redaction is technically administered at the registry level using infrastructure already configured to comply with data protection frameworks for EU citizens. NiRA says this ensures compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA) and reinforces its collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The initiative comes shortly after the election of new members to NiRA’s Executive Board, reflecting what the association describes as a renewed focus on privacy-forward policies and secure digital infrastructure in Nigeria.
NiRA says the launch underscores its ongoing strategy to position the .ng namespace as a secure, trusted, and globally respected digital asset for Nigerians and organisations across Africa.
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