Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data

The Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data (adopted by the ICANN Board on 17 May 2018) established temporary requirements for gTLD registry operators and registrars to comply with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) without breaking existing ICANN contractual requirements and community-developed policies. The Temporary Specification provides a single, unified interim model that ensures a common framework for handling registration data and maintaining the WHOIS system while the GNSO determines whether to adopt it as a consensus policy or develop an alternative policy.

ICANN's stated objective of the Temporary Specification was to comply with the GDPR, while maintaining the WHOIS system to the greatest extent possible.

General Data Protection Regulation

Generic Names Supporting Organization. Develops and recommends to the Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains and other responsibilities set forth in the Bylaws (ICANN Bylaws).