ID protection hides your personal details from the public WHOIS record.
WHAT IT DOES
Replaces your name, address, email and phone number with the privacy service's details. You remain the legal registrant with full control. Messages sent to the published address are forwarded to you.
WHY USE IT
It substantially reduces spam, cold calls and fraudulent renewal notices, which are a genuine nuisance for domain holders. It keeps a home address out of a public database, which matters for individuals and sole traders.
ENABLING IT
Domains > My Domains > click the domain > ID Protection. Availability depends on the extension; some registries do not support it.
WHEN TO TURN IT OFF TEMPORARILY
During a transfer out, since privacy can block the approval email that must reach the registrant. Where a verification process requires public details.
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO
It does not hide ownership from legal process or from a properly made registry request. It does not affect how your website works, how it is indexed, or how visitors reach it. It does not prevent a trademark dispute.
It affects the public record only. Everything else continues as normal.