How to Remove Personal Information From Internet Sites and Data Brokers
How to Remove Personal Information? Personal information is constantly tracked by websites, and understanding how to remove personal information from internet sites and data brokers can be daunting. Discovering sensitive details about yourself online, such as your address or phone number, raises questions about how it got there and what can be done to remove it.
Historically, information about individuals was collected by businesses and governments for centuries. A notable example is the Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085, which recorded property ownership in England. Unlike today’s digital records, the Domesday Book was handwritten and not readily accessible to the public. With the advent of digital records, accessing and sharing information has become much simpler. In the U.S., various types of government data, including vital records, tax information, and voting details, are legally required to be public. If modern tools like Zillow had existed back then, William’s record-keeping might have been entirely different.
Before the internet, acquiring personal information required visiting records offices or mailing requests. Today, however, gathering such data is much easier. Laws limit how much information can be shared by individual agencies, but combining data from various sources can result in detailed profiles about individuals.
When you search for your name and find personal information on the first page of search results, it is likely that you are encountering people finder sites. These sites aggregate legally available information to create online profiles.
Many of these data brokers provide access to email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, previous residences, home valuations, names of relatives, religion, ethnicity, hobbies, places of employment, and more. They often display some information for free but charge for access to more detailed records, including legal and criminal histories.
To effectively remove personal information from the internet, follow these steps:
- Identify Data Brokers: Start by searching for your information on people finder sites such as Whitepages, Spokeo, and MyLife. Tools and services are available to help you find where your information is listed.
- Submit Opt-Out Requests: Most data broker sites have an opt-out process. This process typically requires filling out a form with your details and requesting that your information be removed.
- Monitor and Follow Up: Regular checks are necessary to ensure your information remains removed. It is not uncommon for data to reappear, necessitating repeated opt-out requests.
- Contact Websites Directly: For websites that display your information but are not data brokers, contact the site administrators directly to request removal.
- Consider Legal Action: If your information is being used maliciously or if you face significant challenges, consulting a lawyer for potential legal recourse might be required.
By taking these measures, you can manage your digital footprint and better protect your personal information from unwanted exposure.
