Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.
ZDNET Highlights
- Personal data is widely collected and sold by data brokers, mostly without our knowledge.
- Manual removal is impractical, this is where data removal services come in.
- These services can remove large amounts of sensitive information from the Internet.
There are huge amounts of our personal information floating around on the Internet, much of it collected by data brokers. Phone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses are just the tip of the iceberg that these companies collect, package, and sell.
Most of this information comes from social media platforms, apps, and online services that routinely collect user data, and then feed into a vast ecosystem that profits from knowing everything about you. In some other cases, those details come from larger breaches.
Also: Your router may be vulnerable to Russian hackers, FBI warns: 5 steps to take right now
Don’t you want it there? Of course, it is possible to remove this information yourself by contacting the data brokers directly and requesting its removal. But their sheer number makes it a cumbersome task. There’s no clear starting point or easy way to know how far your data has spread.
This is where data removal services come in.
These services search for your information by scanning far-flung corners of the Internet. When they find something tied to you, they can take it off.
Over the past month, I have personally tested two of the most notable names in the sector: PrivacyCB And delete me. I can say with confidence that these services are worth it – especially if you’ve been caught in multiple data breaches like me. These services are not only helpful; They are a powerful response to a faulty system.
So, allow me to make the case for data removal services. I’ll explain why they’re worth paying for and who benefits from them.
Why are data removal services worth it?
1. They delete a lot of information at once
It’s essentially impossible to manually clear your data from the web; An automated solution can remove Very Information at once. In my experience, I’ve seen them get my name, phone numbers (both current and former), and even information about relatives I haven’t talked to in years. Some people can dig very far back. I was surprised to see my old childhood home reemerge in a recent scan.
Also: How a burner email can protect your inbox – setting up an email is easy and free
Once your information is found, the platform contacts the data brokers hosting it and submits a removal request on your behalf. This process may take a few days. Most brokers comply without much resistance, although sometimes there is denial. When this happens, the service will continue to proceed until the data is successfully removed.
2. They save you huge amounts of time
according to Electronic Privacy Information CenterThere are thousands of data brokers operating in the US. They “buy, collect, disclose, and sell billions of data elements” with almost no oversight or regulation. You can contact many of these brokers yourself and opt out of data collection. But manually contacting potentially thousands of websites is not an option.
This is where data removal services come in. For example, PrivacyCB has a feature that shows how much work it saves you. At the time of this writing, the platform had contacts with over 1,000 data brokers and over 180,000 custom sites. This saved me four consecutive days of manual searching and requesting.
3. They provide constant monitoring
An underrated benefit of these data removal services is the continuous monitoring they provide. Even if your data has been deleted, there is always a possibility of it reappearing. Brokers constantly buy, sell and republish information, so your details may resurface several months, if not weeks, later.
Companies like DeleteMe continuously monitor the Internet for this and resubmit removal requests when sensitive information resurfaces. After a while I realized that the ongoing monitoring is the most valuable part of the service – it’s what you’re really paying for.
Are there any limitations on data removal services?
As effective as data removal services are, they also have their limitations. For example, they will not touch public records. DeleteMe explains on its support page Real estate records, business licenses, voter registration and “certain court records” are off limits to them. Another limitation is the amount of information that has reached the dark web.
Also: ‘Job seekers have to be spies’: 3 signs that the listing is a scam
The dark web is beyond the reach of removal services, but that doesn’t mean that data that ends up there is ignored. Some platforms, such as PrivacyCB, monitor data leaks and breaches, tracking stolen data wherever it may go, including the dark web. If that stolen data ever appears on a surface web data broker, the removal service will immediately send a removal request before it can be disseminated further.
Who should purchase data removal service?
Data removal services are most useful for high-visibility people. I’m talking about content creators, business executives, and anyone with a sizable public profile. If you’re at risk of harassment or doxxing, or perhaps you just want to reduce how easily people can find your information, these services will be of great help.
Also: I love AirTags, but this option goes straight to my wallet and solves their biggest drawback.
They are also a good option for people like me – whose information has been leaked. My data has been exposed eight different times, so I’m a good example of someone who needs service. On the other hand, if you maintain a low profile online, you may find a data deletion service unnecessary.
What are some recommended data removal services?
I highly recommend PrivacyCB. I enjoyed how thorough it was during the testing, uncovering old phone numbers, distant relatives, and the address of my childhood home. The service stays actively involved throughout the process, checking for clarifications when needed, sending regular updates straight to your email, and offering neat extra features like dark web monitoring.
Also: Best Data Removal Services: Expert Tested and Reviewed
For other options, be sure to check out ZDNET’s roundup of the best data removal services. There are 10 services listed in that guide, so you have plenty of options depending on your needs and budget.
ZDNET contributing writer Charlie Osborne wrote the roundup, and she ranked Incognito as the top pick. It’s an all-round service that targets hundreds of data brokers, actively reduces spam calls, and even offers a mobile app for management on the go.
