Data Brokers Have Your Info — How to Start Opting Out

There are companies whose entire business model is collecting and selling your personal data — your name, address, phone number, email, purchasing habits, and more. These are data brokers, and most people do not even know they exist. Sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified aggregate public records and online traces into detailed profiles anyone can buy.

You can start opting out manually by visiting each broker's removal page, but there are dozens of them. Services like DeleteMe or Incogni automate this process for a fee. It will not erase you from the internet, but it significantly reduces the amount of personal information that is readily searchable. The first step is knowing this industry exists.