Have you ever paused to consider who operates or manages the websites you visit daily? The answer lies in WHOIS, a widely recognized internet resource that uncovers the identity of website owners and provides a means to get in touch with them. Born in the early 1980s, WHOIS functions as a digital phonebook, cataloguing the contact information of website owners and acting as a global bridge connecting individuals and businesses.

This tool contains comprehensive contact information associated with the person, group, or company that registers a particular website or domain name. Typical WHOIS records include the name and contact information of the registrant (the owner of the domain name or website), the name and contact information of the registrar (the organization responsible for registering the domain name or website), as well as registration and expiration dates. WHOIS records may also provide administrative and technical contact details, often different from the registrant.

So, what happens when you register your domain name? When you register a domain name, you are obligated to provide contact information such as your name, address, phone number, city, country, and email address. This information is stored in a publicly accessible database known as the WHOIS database. For citizens in Rwanda, this tool is available at https://whois.ricta.org.rw.

Accuracy of Domain Data: A Critical Factor for Online Security

The accuracy of domain data is a paramount factor for online security. Inaccurate domain data can lead to domain name fraud, phishing attacks, suspension, or even the deletion of your website or domain name. Domain owners (registrants) play a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy of their domain and website data. As a registrant, you are required to provide precise contact data and keep it up-to-date throughout your registration period. Failure to maintain accurate information or purposefully providing false details can lead to the cancellation or suspension of your domain or website, potentially impacting your business. Imagine a scenario where your website is hacked, or you need to renew your subscription - your company registrar needs your updated contact information to reach out to you.

Call to Action for All Rwandan Beneficiaries

The Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA), the authority responsible for managing the Rwandan domain name space, urges all Rwandan domain and website beneficiaries to verify the accuracy of their website or domain name information.

You can do so by visiting https://whois.ricta.org.rw and engage your company registrar to update your data if necessary. We kindly request all Rwandan beneficiaries to provide their contact information, including two phone numbers and two email addresses, to prevent service disruptions for your company’s online presence.

Actions for Registrars

Company registrars play a pivotal role as they are responsible for registering and managing domain names and websites on behalf of their customers. They also have the duty to ensure WHOIS compliance during the domain name registration process and guarantee that their clients provide accurate data. Registrars are urged to actively engage their respective clients to gather the necessary data, review their clients’ information regularly to ensure its correctness, follow best practices, and educate clients on the importance of keeping their information up-to-date. Registrars should also investigate and correct any reported WHOIS inaccuracies.

What Is the Deadline for Providing Contact Information?

If you need to update your contact information, please contact your accredited Registrar or Reseller directly. A list of all accredited RICTA Registrars can be found at https://www.ricta.org.rw/registrars/. If you are unsure of your accredited Registrar or Reseller, you can visit https://whois.ricta.org.rw and perform a lookup on your domain name. The sponsoring registrar listed in the results is the official accredited registrar of your domain.

The deadline to provide this contact information to your company’s registrar is set for April 1, 2024. For further information, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at 0781151371.

In this digital era, ensuring the accuracy of domain data and contact information is not just a matter of compliance; it is a fundamental step toward bolstering online security and safeguarding the integrity of your online presence. The proactive engagement of all stakeholders, from registrants to registrars, is essential in this collective effort to maintain a secure and reliable online environment.