Indeed, trustworthy businesses are available to help you remove your personal information from people-finder websites and internet searches, like Spokeo, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, and others. By making it easier to remove personal information from different online databases, these services seek to assist people in regaining control over their online privacy.(Onerep)
People-search websites compile personal data from social media, public records, and other internet sources. Your name, address, phone number, email, and even information about your family members may be included in this data. Identity theft, unsolicited solicitations, and privacy violations can result from such exposure.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Manual Removal: A Prolonged Procedure Manually asking for the deletion of your data from each website is one way to recover your privacy. This includes:
Finding Sites: To determine which people-search websites include your information, type your name into search engines.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Finding Opt-Out Pages: You can usually find an opt-out page on any website where you can ask for your data to be deleted.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Request Submission: To make a removal request, adhere to the site's particular guidelines.(Experian)
Verification: A government-issued ID may be required for identity verification on some websites.
Monitoring: Since your information might. resurface over time, check back frequently.
Although this approach is economical, it is
time-consuming and necessitates constant work to guarantee the privacy of your data.
Expert Data Erasure Services
A number of expert services focus on eliminating personal data from people-search websites for individuals looking for a more efficient method:(Consumer Reports)
1. DeleteMe
Overview: DeleteMe is a well-established service that helps users remove their personal information from various data broker sites.(DeleteMe)
Features:
Regular scans to identify where your information appears.
Submission of opt-out requests on your behalf.
Quarterly reports detailing the status of your data removal.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault, DeleteMe)
Considerations: While DeleteMe has successfully removed over 100 million personal listings since 2010, a Consumer Reports study found that manual opt-outs were more effective in some cases, achieving a 70% success rate compared to DeleteMe's 27% over four months .(Wikipedia)
2. Incogni
Overview: Developed by Surfshark, Incogni automates the process of sending data removal requests to data brokers.(Wikipedia)
Features:
Covers approximately 200 data brokers.
Fully automated process requiring minimal user intervention.
User-friendly dashboard to track progress.(Wikipedia)
Considerations: Incogni is particularly effective in regions with strong data protection laws, such as the EU and California .(Wikipedia)
3. OneRep
Overview: OneRep focuses on removing personal information from over 100 people-search sites.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Features:
Automated removal process.
Continuous monitoring to prevent reappearance of data.
Detailed reports on removal status.(Ars Technica, Onerep)
Considerations: OneRep offers a comprehensive approach but may require a subscription for full features .
Effectiveness of Data Removal Services
While these services offer convenience, their effectiveness can vary. A study by Consumer Reports indicated that manual opt-outs often achieved higher success rates than paid services . However, the time and effort required for manual removal may make professional services a worthwhile investment for some individuals.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Additional Steps to Protect Your Privacy
Beyond using removal services, consider the following measures to enhance your online privacy:
Limit Personal Information Sharing: Be cautious about the personal details you share on social media and other online platforms.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Use Privacy Settings: Adjust the privacy settings on your online accounts to control who can see your information.
Monitor Your Digital Footprint: Regularly search for your name online to identify and address any new exposures.(Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault)
Use Google's Removal Tools: Google offers tools to request the removal of personal information from its search results .(Time)
Conclusion
While no service can guarantee complete removal of your personal information from the internet, utilizing professional data removal services like DeleteMe, Incogni, and OneRep can significantly reduce your digital footprint. Coupled with proactive personal measures, these services can help you regain control over your online privacy.(Security.org)
For a visual guide on removing your data from people-finder sites, you may find the following video helpful:
How to remove your data from people search sites