In the current digital landscape, privacy feels almost obsolete. Step outside, and chances are you’re being recorded. Switch on your TV, and your viewing preferences are quietly monitored. Engaging with the internet means broadcasting a torrent of your personal data to data collectors—entities that gather, package, and sell this information to marketers and other interested parties.

You may imagine “data brokers” to be shady operations in jurisdictions with lax privacy regulations, yet many of the most prominent include well-known names like Experian, LexisNexis, and Equifax. The data harvested can encompass details such as your name, home address, birthdate, phone numbers, income level, and even information about your family and friends. This trove of information can lead to a barrage of unsolicited advertisements and spam, and in the event of a data breach, your identity could be jeopardized.

If the goal is to enhance online privacy and guard against unwanted interactions, a pivotal step is to extract personal data from these brokers. This can be accomplished manually—though this approach can feel like a relentless game of whack-a-mole—or you can enlist a professional service to manage the process for you.

Manual Opt-Out: A DIY Approach

Many data brokers allow users to opt-out, but the process often involves considerable effort. It requires visiting each broker’s individual website to locate their opt-out page, which is often difficult to find intentionally. Additionally, proactive measures must be taken to minimize the flow of information by adjusting settings on your devices, uninstalling unnecessary apps, clearing browsing data, managing cookies, and utilizing Google’s “results about you” tool to erase personal search results. Considering a VPN to enhance your anonymity may also be wise.

Persistently monitoring this situation is critical, as deleted information can gradually resurface over time.

For those who prefer not to dedicate extensive hours to this task, there are services that will handle it for you. While many of these data removal options may not outperform manual efforts, they can save significant amounts of time.

Top Data Removal Services

Several services specialize in assisting users with the removal of their data from brokers. Below are five noteworthy options:

Optery

Optery offers a free version that simplifies the manual removal of data from brokerage sites. The paid version provides extensive coverage of brokers, employs AI to assist, and offers confirmation of data removal. A study indicated a successful removal rate of 68%, closely approaching the 70% success rate achievable through manual efforts. Continuous automated removals are available as long as the service is subscribed to.

Cost: $3.99 monthly or $39 annually.

EasyOptOuts

A solid choice with a removal rate of 65%, EasyOptOuts provides a cost-effective solution, making it a practical alternative to Optery. While it lacks certain advanced features, it efficiently navigates through data-collecting sites to request removal. It also attempts to request removal from sites it cannot access, ensuring thorough coverage. Given its affordability, it’s an attractive option.

Cost: $19.99 annually.

IDX

IDX is a versatile service with various service tiers. The “Identity” tier focuses primarily on monitoring without data removal, while “Privacy” is ideal for those prioritizing data removal and “Complete” includes additional features like credit monitoring.

Cost: $8.96/month (Identity), $11.66/month (Privacy), $32.90/month (Complete); family plans are also accessible.

Kanary

Kanary provides a limited free version that identifies where data may be found but doesn’t assist with its removal. Users can evaluate its capabilities without a credit card before committing to a paid plan. However, its app currently supports only Apple products, with Android compatibility pending. Some feedback indicates that it may flag social media accounts for cleanup, which might not be ideal for everyone.

Cost: $12 monthly or $105 annually (family plans available).

Permission Slip

Introduced by Consumer Reports, Permission Slip is a completely free service designed to assist in data removal. There have been concerns related to privacy associated with its intricate user agreements. Nevertheless, for no cost, it automates much of the labor involved in data extraction, making it a valuable resource to consider.

Cost: Free (with appreciation for donations).

Do You Need a Data Removal Service?

Determining whether to invest in a data removal service hinges on how much time can be dedicated to clearing your online footprint and how concerned you are about corporate entities having access to your personal information. Initiating the process with a free service like Permission Slip may be advisable to assess its effectiveness before transitioning to a paid service. Regardless of the chosen path, taking steps to declutter your personal data from brokers is essential in an age where data breaches are alarmingly frequent.