How to remove personal data from data broker sites (Spoiler: I use Incogni)
I’ll never forget when my son, Ian, asked me where in Los Angeles I lived. I told him I couldn’t remember — it was 30 years ago, and I lived there for maybe six months. A few minutes later, he called and had the address. It was available for free to anyone on the internet on an online people search directory.
There are an estimated 4,000 companies and sites that collect personal info, and they make it extremely hard to get your data removed. Why? Because they profit big time selling it.
Search for your name online and I bet you’ll find yourself listed all over the place. It’s not just public records like your name, address and phone number, either. (Though, yes, I did find my personal cell listed online, too.) Data breaches and leaks mean everything from your banking info to your Social Security number is floating around the internet.
My mission to remove personal information online
It goes way beyond your contact info and personal details like your SSN. Data brokers capture exactly who you are by way of thousands of data points. We’re talking about the car you drive, the places you go out to eat more often, your favorite coffee brand, who else lives in your house … I could go on.
I got fed up with how much about me was out there, so I went on a mission to delete as much as I could. My first stop were data broker sites that collect, store and sell personal data.
Advertisers are one of their biggest customers, but they’re not the only ones. It could be hackers, identity thieves, job recruiters digging for extra info, insurance companies, real estate agents, financial institutions or even nosy neighbors looking to find out more about you.
Here’s a quick look at how to remove personal data from data broker sites:
- Search for your data on people search sites
- Request removal from each site
- Track your removal requests and follow up
- Regularly check that your data has been removed
You have to do this for each site. Yeah, it’s a lot of work. I spent 36 hours emailing the scummy sites, filling out forms, making calls and even sending letters by USPS. I gave up when I had no real progress. That’s when I researched services to do this for me.
I tried three, and I ultimately picked Incogni. The company finds and automatically pulls your info from 190+ data-broker companies and sites that sell it to anyone willing to pay.
How Incogni and data broker removal services work
How to delete yourself from the internet
I feel lucky to have the job I do. Every day, I help folks stay up to date on tech and help solve all those digital-life problems Google just can’t answer.
And after all these years, I’ll toot my own horn a little and say there’s not much that stumps me anymore. I did get a question recently, though, on my daily podcast that had a not-so-happy answer.
Overwhelmed with spam texts? Do this now
Ever replied to a spam message with STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE? If so, you’re setting yourself up for even more annoyance. You rightfully think that you’re ending the noise, but you’ll make it worse.
Why? Spammers are hitting up as many people as possible, searching for working contact information. When you interact, you’re saying, “Yes, this phone number belongs to someone!” That’s great news for them. It lets them know you’re a real person they should target more often.
The best 3 minutes I spent on privacy in 2023
I know, big statement, right? But stay with me.
I’ve been talking about people search sites for years. Heck, I did a whole series of articles on how to remove yourself from them.
Hackers want Google accounts. Give yours this security check now!
Here’s a nightmare scenario: You’re enjoying your hard-earned vacation when you realize your phone or laptop is missing.
Beyond the cost of replacing it, you may have lost years of photos and other files — and opened yourself up to some pretty scary consequences. Tap or click for steps to wipe your tech remotely in case this ever happens.