WHOIS was created in the early days of the internet to serve as a database of domain owner contact information. As the internet matured and cybercriminal activity increased, WHOIS quickly became a vital investigative tool for security professionals. WHOIS data isnt going away, but there are uncertainties about its future and how it will be impacted by privacy laws, such as the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation. Each of the WHOIS fields listed above may be protected by existing or forthcoming privacy laws.”]
Source: https://securityintelligence.com/privacy-laws-and-cybersecurity-sleuthing-when-worlds-collide/