The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the official registry for .ng domains, has announced the launch of its WHOIS Privacy Redaction service, a key move to strengthen privacy and trust within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The newly launched service allows .ng domain registrants to hide personal information—such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical locations—from public WHOIS records. Instead, these data fields will now display “Data Redacted,” a move aimed at curbing spam, unsolicited contact, and privacy breaches.
“This development marks a significant milestone for the .ng domain space,” said NiRA President, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya. “We are prioritizing user privacy and aligning with international data protection standards to foster a safer and more secure online environment.”
The privacy service, offered free of charge, preserves vital technical details like domain status, registration dates, and nameservers to maintain internet operational transparency. It also includes a structured protocol for lawful access requests through registrars, ensuring necessary communication with registrants without exposing their personal details.
The redaction policy stems from stakeholder consensus reached at the NiRA Registrars Forum in October 2024 and was formally endorsed by NiRA’s Domain Name Policy Committee and Executive Board.
Managed at the registry level, the service infrastructure is aligned with data protection standards, including Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA) and global norms, further cementing NiRA’s partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
As NiRA strengthens its reform agenda under its new leadership, the introduction of WHOIS Privacy Redaction is a forward-looking step in redefining internet governance in Nigeria—setting the .ng domain on a course toward global competitiveness, user trust, and data responsibility.
