Data Broker Removal: How to Remove Your Personal Information
Data brokers collect information about people from a variety of sources and may create searchable profiles containing personal details. Removing these listings can reduce the amount of information publicly available about you.
The process can be confusing because there is no single database that contains everyone's information. Different companies collect different types of data and have different removal procedures.
Find your listings, locate each site's opt-out or removal process, submit the required request, record what you removed and check again later. Manual removal can work for a small number of listings, while specialized data removal services may help manage searches and requests across multiple sources.
What Is a Data Broker?
A data broker is a company that collects, combines, analyzes or sells information about individuals. Sources can include public records, websites, marketing databases and other commercially available data.
Depending on the company and applicable laws, a profile may contain information such as your name, approximate location, age range, phone number, relatives or other publicly available details.
Why Does Data Broker Removal Matter?
Information collected by data brokers can make it easier for strangers, marketers and other organizations to find information associated with you.
Reducing unnecessary public exposure can be one part of improving your overall digital privacy. It does not, however, guarantee that all information about you will disappear from the internet.
How to Remove Yourself From Data Broker Sites
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Find your listings.
Search for your name, phone number, email address and other relevant information on people-search and data broker websites.
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Locate the opt-out process.
Look for links such as "Opt Out", "Do Not Sell My Information", "Privacy Choices" or "Remove My Information".
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Submit the removal request.
Follow the site's instructions. Some websites may require you to verify that you control the information or email address involved.
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Record what you removed.
Keep track of the website, profile and date of your request. This makes future checks easier.
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Check again later.
Information can reappear or new information can be added. Periodic checks are therefore useful.
Why Manual Removal Can Take Time
There can be many different data brokers and people-search websites. Each can have its own website, search system, verification requirements and removal process.
This means manually removing information can become a repetitive process, particularly when you want to check multiple databases.
People-search sites are closely related to data broker exposure. Learn more about how people-search sites work and how to check whether your information appears there.
Using a Data Removal Service
Scan My Shadow provides a basic digital exposure report and a customised removal kit for a one-time fee of $9.99. It can help you understand broader exposure first; dedicated data-removal services can be more appropriate when you want broader or ongoing removal assistance.
Get the $9.99 digital exposure scan →Privacy-focused data removal services offer an alternative to doing every search manually. Depending on the provider, they may search multiple data broker websites, identify matching profiles and submit removal requests for you.
Coverage varies significantly between services, so don't assume that one provider removes your information from every website. Check exactly what databases, countries and types of information a service covers before purchasing.
You can also compare manual removal with other ways of reducing your broader personal information exposure.
Can Data Brokers Put Your Information Back?
In some cases, information can reappear after it has been removed. Data sources can change and companies may create new records over time.
For that reason, privacy protection is better viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time cleanup.
How Data Broker Removal Fits Into Your Digital Footprint
Data broker listings are only one part of an online footprint. You should also review old accounts, social profiles, email exposure, phone-number listings and other publicly available information.
Start with our digital footprint check guide to work through the broader process.
You can also review your email exposure and phone number exposure separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove my information from data brokers?
Find the relevant data broker listing, locate the site's opt-out or removal process, follow its verification requirements and submit the request. Keep a record of the request and check again later.
Can I remove my information from data brokers for free?
Many data brokers provide an opt-out process that you can complete yourself. The exact process varies by website and may require identity or email verification.
Will removing my information from one data broker remove it everywhere?
No. Different companies maintain different databases. Removing one listing does not automatically remove information held by other data brokers, websites or public sources.
Can data brokers add my information again?
Information can reappear in some cases when new data is collected or another record is created. Periodic checking may therefore be necessary.