With today’s online age, your information is being followed and exchanged constantly by websites and information brokers. If you worry about your privacy, Let us help you remove personal information from Internet, below is an easy step-by-step procedure .
1. Search for Your Information Online
- Start by Googling yourself: Use different combinations of your name, email, and locations you’ve lived in to find out what information is publicly available.
- Check people-finder sites: Popular sites like Spokeo, Intelius, and PeopleFinders often have detailed profiles based on publicly available information.
2. Delete or Deactivate Old Accounts
- Clear old or unused accounts and delete or deactivate them. This reduces your digital footprint and decreases the danger of exposing your info.
3. Contact Website Owners
- If you find your information on a website, reach out to the site owner or webmaster and politely request them to remove it. Many sites have contact information or opt-out forms available.
4. Opt-Out of Data Broker Sites
- Send opt-out notices: Opt-outs are available for data brokers such as BeenVerified and Spokeo, though the process can be inconvenient. Go to their websites and adhere to their direction to delete your information.
- Consider manual removal: Certain data brokers may need an ID for verification, which can be inconvenient but works well with sensitive data.
5. Leverage Privacy Laws
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): If you’re a California resident, you can request companies to disclose and delete the personal data they have about you.
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): For EU residents, GDPR allows you to request the deletion of your information from companies.
- India’s Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: Under Section 43A of the IT Act, companies in India are obligated to implement reasonable security practices for sensitive personal data. In a data breach, affected individuals have the right to seek compensation.
6. Use Professional Data Removal Services
- If the process is overwhelming, consider using paid services like DeleteMe, OneRep, or ReputationDefender. These services manage the removal process across multiple sites for you.
7. Monitor Your Online Presence
- Set Google Alerts: Create alerts for your name to stay informed when new information appears online.
- Regular checks: Periodically search for your information to ensure that it hasn’t resurfaced.
8. Strengthen Privacy Settings
- Adjust privacy settings on social media and other platforms to limit the visibility of your information.
- Consider using private browsers or search engines like DuckDuckGo to reduce tracking.
A Continues Process
Erasing personal data from the web is an ongoing process that takes effort and time. By doing these steps, you can effectively minimize your online presence and safeguard your privacy.
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