Your name, home address, phone number, and email are probably listed on dozens of data broker websites right now. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse identified over 750 data brokers across U.S. state registries in California, Texas, Oregon, and Vermont in 2025 (Source: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse). Most people have never heard of these companies, but each one may hold a detailed file on you.
Data brokers collect your information from public records, social media, shopping activity, and app permissions. Then they sell that data to marketers, background check sites, and sometimes scammers. The risks are not theoretical. In 2024, National Public Data, a Florida-based data broker, was breached, and roughly 2.9 billion records were stolen, including Social Security numbers, names, and addresses. The company filed for bankruptcy months later, unable to cover the legal and financial fallout (Source: FTC / U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Case No. 24-21280). Most of the people whose data was exposed had no idea the company even existed.
If you have ever wondered how to remove your personal information from data broker websites, the process is straightforward. You just need to know where to look and what to do.
Here is the full step-by-step guide for 2026.
Step 1: Search for Yourself Online
Before you can remove anything, you need to see what is out there. Start by searching your full name in quotes on Google, followed by your city or state. Try variations like your maiden name, old addresses, and phone numbers.
Where Your Data Usually Shows Up
People-search sites are the most visible places your information appears. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Spokeo
- Whitepages
- TruePeopleSearch
- BeenVerified
- Radaris
Check beyond page one of the search results. Some listings appear deeper. Take notes on which sites have your profiles so you know exactly where to submit removal requests.
Step 2: Submit Opt-Out Requests Manually
Most major data brokers and people-search sites have some form of opt-out process. The steps vary by site, but the general pattern is similar.
How Manual Opt-Outs Typically Work
- Go to the data broker's website and find the opt-out or "remove my information" page. Usually at the bottom of the site.
- Search for your listing on the site.
- Fill out the removal form with your name and enough details for them to locate your profile.
- Confirm your identity, often through an email verification link or automated phone call.
- Wait for the removal to process. Most sites take a few days to a few weeks.
Some sites make the process simple. Others add extra steps or require you to mail in a request. A few may ask for a copy of your ID, so only provide what is strictly required.
The Biggest Problem With Manual Removal
Manual removal works, but your data often comes back. Data brokers refresh their databases regularly from public records and other sources. You may need to repeat the process every few months.
Step 3: Use California's DROP Tool (If You Are a California Resident)
California launched the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform, called DROP, on January 1, 2026. DROP lets California residents submit a single deletion request to every registered data broker in the state, over 500 companies, for free (Source: California Privacy Protection Agency).
How DROP Works
You verify your California residency through the state's identity gateway, provide basic information like your name, email, and phone number, and submit one request. Starting August 1, 2026, data brokers must retrieve and process these requests every 45 days.
DROP is the first government-built tool of its kind. If you live in California, start here. If you do not live in California, you will need to opt out of data broker databases individually or use a data removal service.
Step 4: Consider an Automated Data Removal Service
If you want to opt out of data broker databases automatically instead of doing everything yourself, paid services handle the process for you. A good data broker removal service scans hundreds of broker sites, submits opt-out requests on your behalf, and monitors for your data reappearing.
What to Look for in a Removal Service
Not all services cover the same number of brokers. When comparing the best services to remove your name from people search sites, check for:
- How many data broker sites does the service cover
- Whether the service sends repeated removal requests or just a one-time scan
- Ongoing monitoring to catch your data if brokers re-add it
- Whether the service also offers dark web monitoring or identity theft protection as part of the package
Automated removal is the most practical long-term solution because data brokers constantly re-collect your information. A one-time manual opt-out may not keep you protected permanently.
Step 5: Stop Data Brokers From Collecting New Data
Removing existing listings is only half the job. You also need to reduce the flow of new data heading to brokers. Here is how to stop data brokers from selling your personal information going forward.
In December 2024, the FTC took action against data broker Mobilewalla for collecting precise location data on over 500 million consumer devices and selling it without proper consent. The FTC found that Mobilewalla tracked people visiting sensitive locations, including medical facilities, and used that data to build audience profiles for advertisers (Source: FTC Press Release, December 2024). Limiting what data brokers can collect about you in the first place reduces this kind of exposure.
Practical Steps to Limit Future Data Collection
- Use email and phone aliases for new signups. When you give a site your real email or phone number, that data can end up with brokers. Using a unique alias for each account keeps your real info out of their databases.
- Lock down social media privacy settings. Public profiles are one of the easiest sources for data brokers. Set your profiles to private and remove details like your phone number, birthday, and home city from public view.
- Limit app permissions. Many apps collect location data, contacts, and browsing habits that feed into broker databases. Only grant permissions an app actually needs.
- Use a VPN when browsing. A VPN masks your IP address, which can reduce some online tracking by ad networks. Keep in mind that data brokers primarily collect from public records and app data, so a VPN is one layer of protection, not a complete fix.
Step 6: Set a Reminder to Check Back
Even with automated tools, set a calendar reminder to search for yourself every 3 months. Data brokers re-collect information continuously. A quick search lets you catch anything that slipped through. If you want to delete your personal information from the internet more broadly, start with data brokers since they spread your data the widest, then work through old forum accounts, directories, and abandoned social media profiles. How to remove personal information from the internet is a bigger project, but brokers are the most important first step.
Take Back Control of Your Data
Removing yourself from data broker websites takes effort, but the payoff is real. Less data out there can mean fewer spam calls, fewer phishing emails, and a lower chance of identity theft.
Cloaked handles the heavy lifting. Cloaked removes your personal data from 130+ data broker sites automatically and monitors for re-listing. You can also create unlimited email and phone aliases to keep your real info from reaching brokers in the first place. Pair that with dark web monitoring and $1M in identity theft insurance, and you have a complete privacy setup.
Run a free safety scan to see how exposed you are, or get in touch to learn more.
FAQs
How long does it take to remove yourself from data broker websites?
Manual removal from a single site can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks. Covering dozens of brokers yourself may take several hours total. Automated services handle the process faster and keep monitoring after removal.
Is it free to opt out of data brokers?
Manual opt-outs are free. California residents can also use the state's DROP tool at no cost. Automated data removal services charge a monthly or annual fee for ongoing coverage.
Do data brokers re-add your information after you opt out?
Yes, many do. Brokers continuously pull from public records, app data, and other sources. A one-time removal may not stick. Ongoing monitoring or repeated manual checks are needed to stay removed.
Can I remove my information from all data brokers at once?
California residents can use DROP to send one request to all registered brokers in the state. For everyone else, there is no single free tool that covers every broker. Automated removal services come closest by scanning and opting out of hundreds of sites at once.
What information do data brokers typically have about me?
Common data points include your full name, home address, phone number, email, age, employer, relatives, and sometimes income estimates or political affiliations. People-search sites may also list criminal records and property ownership.
Are data brokers legal in the United States?
Yes, data brokers are legal. Several states, including California, Vermont, Texas, and Oregon, require brokers to register, but no federal law bans the practice. Privacy laws like the CCPA give consumers the right to request deletion, but enforcement varies by state.
