This section of the "Personal Data Broker Removal Program" program focuses on how data brokers collect and sell your information. Understanding and implementing these practices is essential for anyone serious about protecting their digital privacy in today's increasingly surveilled world.
Data brokers are companies that collect, aggregate, and sell personal information about individuals — often without their knowledge or explicit consent. The data broker industry generates over $200 billion annually by trading in the intimate details of people's lives: home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, income levels, purchase histories, political affiliations, health conditions, and family relationships.
Begin the removal process by identifying which data brokers have your information. Search for yourself on the most common people-search sites: Spokeo.com, WhitePages.com, BeenVerified.com, Intelius.com, PeopleFinder.com, TruePeopleSearch.com, FastPeopleSearch.com, USSearch.com, and ThatsThem.com. Document what information each site has.
Submit opt-out requests to each data broker individually. Each company has its own removal process, typically found on their website under "Do Not Sell My Information," "Privacy," or "Opt-Out." Some make this easy with a simple online form; others deliberately make it difficult, requiring you to create an account, verify your identity with a driver's license photo, or submit requests by postal mail.
Expect the removal process to be frustrating and ongoing. Data brokers often re-acquire your information from public records, loyalty programs, and other brokers within weeks or months of removal. Set calendar reminders to re-check and re-submit removal requests every three to six months. Consider using a paid removal service like DeleteMe, Kanary, or Privacy Duck, which automates the process across dozens of data brokers.
Prevent future data broker accumulation by reducing the sources they draw from. Opt out of the data sharing practices of your credit card companies, banks, and insurance providers. Use a P.O. Box or virtual mailbox instead of your home address for public records. Register your phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. Limit personal information when signing up for loyalty programs and online accounts.