How to Remove Yourself From Data Brokers

Data brokers are companies that collect your name, home address, phone number, and email from public records, apps, and online activity, then sell it to marketers, advertisers, or anyone willing to pay.

In May 2026, the FTC banned data broker Kochava from selling sensitive location data after finding it had sold precise geolocation from hundreds of millions of mobile devices, tracking visits to health clinics, places of worship, and domestic abuse shelters, all without consent. If one broker can collect that level of detail, imagine what dozens of them hold combined.

You can remove yourself. Here is the full DIY data removal walkthrough, broken into clear steps you can start today.

Step 1: Find Out Which Brokers Have Your Data

Before you can remove anything, you need to see what is out there. Start by searching your full name (in quotes) on Google, along with your city or state. Try old names, past addresses, and phone numbers too.

The most common places your data shows up include:

• People-search sites like Spokeo, WhitePages, BeenVerified, and PeopleFinder
• Marketing data brokers like Acxiom and Epsilon, along with advertising data platforms that may still hold older records
• Public records aggregators that pull from court filings, voter rolls, and property records

Go past the first page of results. Some listings sit deeper. Keep a list of every site that has your profile. You will need it for the next step.

Step 2: Submit Manual Opt-Out Requests

Most major data brokers and people-search sites have some kind of opt-out process. The steps vary by site, but the pattern is usually the same.

How the Process Works

You visit the broker's website, find their opt-out or "Do Not Sell My Info" page, fill out a form, and verify your identity. Most sites use email confirmation, but some (like WhitePages) require a phone call instead. A few may ask you to upload a photo of your ID.

Here is a manual opt-out from data brokers checklist for the biggest names:

• Spokeo: Go to spokeo.com/optout, paste the URL of your listing, enter your email, and click the confirmation link.
• WhitePages: Visit whitepages.com/suppression-requests, paste your profile URL, and verify your identity through an automated phone call (not email).
• BeenVerified: Use beenverified.com/app/optout/search, locate your profile, submit your email, and confirm via the verification email.
• Acxiom: Scroll to the footer of acxiom.com, click "Do Not Sell My Personal Information," and complete the form.
• Epsilon: Submit a request through epsilon.com's privacy center.

If you are wondering how to opt out of Acxiom, Epsilon, Oracle, and similar marketing brokers, each one has a slightly different privacy portal. Note that Oracle shut down its advertising data division in 2024, so its opt-out process may no longer apply. Budget about 10 to 15 minutes per site.

Can You Remove Your Data From Brokers Without Paying?

Yes. Every opt-out request is free. In states with consumer privacy laws (California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and others), brokers are required to honor your deletion request at no cost. Even in states without specific privacy laws, most major brokers offer free opt-out forms. You do not need to pay anyone to submit these requests yourself.

Under California's CCPA, data brokers have 45 days to respond to a removal request. Other states with privacy laws have similar timelines. In practice, some brokers process removals within 24 hours. Others drag their feet or ask follow-up questions. A few may ignore you entirely.

Step 3: Use California's DROP Tool (If You Qualify)

California launched a first-of-its-kind tool in January 2026 called the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP). If you are a California resident, you can submit a single deletion request that goes to every registered data broker in the state, over 500 of them.

How DROP Works

You verify your California residency through the state's identity gateway, provide basic details like your name, email, and phone number, and submit one request. Starting August 1, 2026, data brokers must process these requests every 45 days.

DROP is currently the best free data broker removal tool available in 2026, but only California residents can use it. If you live outside California, you will need to opt out of each broker individually or use an automated service.

Step 4: Check State-Level Data Broker Registries

A few states require data brokers to register publicly. You can use these registries to find brokers you may have missed.

• California: The CalPrivacy data broker registry lists every registered broker in the state.
• Vermont: The Vermont Secretary of State maintains a searchable broker list.
• Oregon: The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has a broker registry.
• Texas: The Texas Secretary of State operates an online data broker registry.

These registries show you which brokers operate in your area, along with their contact details and opt-out links.

Step 5: Lock Down the Sources Brokers Pull From

Removing your data once is not enough. Brokers re-collect information constantly. You need to cut off the sources feeding them.

• Set all social media profiles to private, and remove your phone number, birthday, and home city from public view.
• Delete old accounts you no longer use. Every unused account is another place your personal information can leak from.
• Review app permissions on your phone. Many apps collect location data, contacts, and browsing habits that end up in broker databases.
• Use a VPN when browsing. A VPN masks your IP address, which can reduce some tracking by ad networks.
• Remove your name from direct marketing lists through DMAchoice.org, OptOutPrescreen.com, and the National Do Not Call Registry.

Step 6: Set a Recurring Check Every 90 Days

Data brokers refresh their databases regularly. Even after a successful removal, your information may reappear within months. Set a calendar reminder to search for yourself every three months and resubmit opt-out requests as needed.

How to remove myself from data brokers for free is a question with a straightforward answer, but the real challenge is keeping your data off these sites long-term. Manual removal works, but only if you stay on top of it.

How Cloaked Helps You Stay Off Broker Lists

Manual opt-outs are effective, but covering dozens of brokers takes hours and needs constant upkeep. Cloaked automates the heavy lifting. Cloaked removes your personal data from 300+ data broker sites and monitors for re-listing, so you do not have to repeat the process every quarter.

You can also generate unlimited email and phone aliases to keep your real information from reaching brokers in the first place. Pair that with Dark Web & SSN Monitoring and $1M in identity theft insurance, and you have a complete privacy setup that works while you sleep.

Run a free safety scan to see how exposed you are, or get in touch to learn more.

FAQs

How do I remove myself from data brokers for free?

Search your name on Google, find which broker sites have your data, visit each site's opt-out page, and submit a free removal request. Most major brokers offer free opt-outs. California residents can also use the state's DROP tool to request deletion from over 500 brokers at once.

How long does it take for data brokers to remove my information?

Under California's CCPA, brokers have 45 days to respond. Other state privacy laws set similar windows. Some brokers process removals in under 24 hours, while others take the full window. A few may request additional verification before completing the removal, which can add time.

Will data brokers re-add my information after I opt out?

In many cases, yes. Brokers re-collect data from public records, apps, and other sources on an ongoing basis. Unless you regularly monitor and resubmit opt-out requests, your information may reappear within a few months.

What is California's DROP tool, and who can use it?

DROP is a government-built platform that lets California residents submit a single deletion request to every registered data broker in the state. Launched in January 2026, data brokers must begin processing DROP requests every 45 days starting August 1, 2026. Only California residents can use it.

Are there any free data broker removal tools in 2026?

California's DROP tool is the most significant free option available right now, though it is limited to California residents. Outside of California, manual opt-outs are free but time-consuming. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse also maintains a searchable database of data brokers with links to their opt-out pages.

Do I need to give data brokers my personal information to opt out?

Some brokers require your full name, email address, and sometimes a photo ID to verify your identity before processing a removal. You can use a dedicated email address just for opt-out requests to limit additional data exposure. Avoid giving more information than the broker specifically asks for.

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