WHOIS Privacy Service Terms

What is WHOIS Privacy?

When you register a domain name, ICANN policy requires that your contact information be made publicly available through WHOIS and RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) databases. This information typically includes:

• Your full name
• Postal/mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number

OrbitFour's Privacy Service replaces your personal information in public WHOIS/RDAP records with privacy service contact information, protecting your personal details from public view while maintaining compliance with ICANN requirements.

How Privacy Service Works

What Gets Redacted

When Privacy Service is enabled, the following information is redacted from public WHOIS/RDAP:

• Name: Replaced with "Privacy Protected" or OrbitFour Privacy Service designation
• Postal Address: Replaced with OrbitFour's privacy service address
• Email Address: Replaced with [email protected] (forwards to you)
• Phone Number: Replaced with privacy service phone number

What Remains Public

The following information remains visible in WHOIS/RDAP records:

• Domain Name: The domain name itself is always public
• Registration Dates: Creation, expiration, and last updated dates
• Nameservers: DNS nameserver information
• Registrar Information: OrbitFour's contact information as the registrar
• Domain Status: Lock status and other EPP status codes

Privacy Service Limitations

When Your Information May Be Disclosed

Your actual registration information may be disclosed in the following circumstances:

1. Legal Requirements
   In response to valid subpoenas, court orders, or other legal process from law enforcement or government authorities.
2. ICANN Policies
   As required by ICANN consensus policies or temporary specifications.
3. Dispute Resolution
   During UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy) or URS (Uniform Rapid Suspension) proceedings involving your domain.
4. Registry Requirements
   If required by the registry operator for your domain's TLD.
5. Abuse Investigation
   If your domain is reported for abuse, illegal activity, or violations of acceptable use policies.
6. Intellectual Property Protection
   In response to valid intellectual property claims or trademark disputes.
7. Contract Breach
   If you breach your Domain Registration Agreement or these Privacy Service Terms.

TLD Restrictions

Privacy Service may not be available for all domain extensions:

• Some country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) prohibit privacy service
• Some new gTLDs may not support privacy service
• Certain registries require specific contact information to be public

Check TLD-specific requirements before purchasing Privacy Service. OrbitFour will indicate if Privacy Service is not available for your domain extension.

Privacy Service Fees

Pricing

Billing

• Privacy Service is billed annually per domain
• Privacy Service renews automatically with your domain unless disabled
• If you disable Privacy Service mid-term, no prorated refunds are provided
• Privacy Service can be added or removed at any time

Email Forwarding

When Privacy Service is enabled, emails sent to the [email protected] address shown in WHOIS are automatically forwarded to your real registered email address.

Email Forwarding Features

• Unlimited email forwarding included with Privacy Service
• Automatic spam filtering to reduce unwanted contacts
• Ability to block specific senders if needed
• Email forwarding works for all WHOIS-related contacts

Email Forwarding Limitations

• Large attachments (>10MB) may be blocked
• Some email providers may mark forwarded emails as spam
• Delivery is not guaranteed (though we make best efforts)
• You are responsible for monitoring your registered email address

Privacy Service Contact Form

For domains with Privacy Service enabled, OrbitFour provides a public contact form accessible via RDAP that allows legitimate inquiries while protecting your email address.

Contact Form URL

https://orbitfour.com/contact/[your-domain.com]

How It Works

1. Someone looking up your domain in RDAP sees a link to the contact form
2. They fill out the form with their message and contact information
3. The message is screened for spam and abuse
4. If legitimate, the message is forwarded to your registered email
5. You can respond directly if you choose

Your Responsibilities

When using Privacy Service, you agree to:

1. Maintain Accurate Information
   You must maintain accurate contact information with OrbitFour even though it's not publicly displayed. This is required by ICANN policy.
2. Monitor Your Email
   You must regularly check the email address registered with OrbitFour as forwarded messages will be sent there.
3. Respond to Legitimate Inquiries
   You should respond to legitimate legal, intellectual property, or business inquiries forwarded through the privacy service.
4. Comply with Laws and Policies
   Privacy Service does not exempt you from compliance with laws, ICANN policies, or your Domain Registration Agreement.
5. Not Use for Illegal Purposes
   Privacy Service may not be used to hide illegal activities, fraud, or abuse. OrbitFour will terminate Privacy Service for domains used for illegal purposes.

Termination of Privacy Service

Voluntary Termination

You may disable Privacy Service at any time through your account dashboard. Upon disabling:

• Your actual contact information will be published in WHOIS/RDAP within 24-48 hours
• No refund will be provided for unused Privacy Service time
• Email forwarding will cease
• You can re-enable Privacy Service at any time (fees apply)

Involuntary Termination

OrbitFour may terminate Privacy Service without refund if:

• Your domain is used for illegal activities or abuse
• You breach your Domain Registration Agreement
• Required by law, court order, or ICANN policy
• Your Privacy Service payment fails
• Your domain registration expires or is cancelled

Limitation of Liability

OrbitFour's liability for Privacy Service is limited to refund of fees paid for Privacy Service in the 12 months preceding any claim.

Related Policies

• Domain Registration Agreement - Full terms and conditions for domain registration
• Privacy Policy - How OrbitFour handles your personal data
• Registrant Rights and Benefits - Your rights as a domain registrant