It is indeed useless, but it's much more involved than just contacting you the once: registrars are required to contact you at least yearly and after any contact updates, and if your mailserver isn't up and running, and you don't confirm the details, you'll end up with the suspended domains.
It sucks, and I'm saying that as somebody who works for a registrar.
You're wrong. What you've been seeing are WDRP emails. Those you can ignore. WAP is something completely different: you must follow the instructions outlined in the email, or your domain will be suspended.
Nope. This policy, WAP (WHOIS accuracy program), was enacted as part of the 2013 ICANN RAA. ghshephard is thinking of WDRP (WHOIS data reminder policy) emails, which came in as part of the 2003 RAA. The new policy, is independet of the WDRP.
Sure - I'm just saying that other registrars do send those emails out, with threatening sounding words about how I have to fill in my contact information. I ignore it. They've never done anything.
The WAP emails you'll be receiving are something different, and you will be required to respond. If the email bounces, or if you don't confirm the email within 15 days, you risk your domain being suspended.
It sucks, and I'm saying that as somebody who works for a registrar.