Data removal services offer automated privacy protection against data brokers

Data removal services that scan the internet for personal information and request takedowns from data brokers can be worthwhile investments for those concerned about privacy, according to a ZDNET analysis. These automated services address the overwhelming challenge of manually removing personal data from thousands of data broker websites. With minimal regulation, data brokers collect and sell billions of data points including phone numbers, addresses, email contacts and information from social media platforms and data breaches. "Manually scrubbing your data from the web is essentially impossible," the analysis found. Data removal services automate the process of finding personal information across data brokers and submitting removal requests, typically completing the task in days where manual efforts could take weeks. The Electronic Privacy Information Center estimates thousands of data brokers operate in the U.S., buying, aggregating and selling personal information with little oversight. PrivacyBee, one service tested, reported contacting over 1,000 data brokers and 180,000 custom sites for a single user, saving an estimated four days of manual work. Beyond initial removal, ongoing monitoring is a key benefit as data brokers constantly republish information. Services like DeleteMe continuously scan for reappearing data and resubmit takedown requests. Limitations exist: most services won't touch public records like real estate documents, business licenses, voter registrations or certain court records. Information that reaches the dark web is also beyond their reach, though some services monitor for when stolen data resurfaces on surface web brokers. The services are particularly valuable for public figures, content creators, business executives and anyone at risk of harassment or doxxing. They also benefit individuals whose data has been exposed in multiple breaches. ZDNET's testing highlighted PrivacyBee for its thoroughness in finding old phone numbers, relative information and even childhood addresses, along with dark web monitoring. The service roundup also recommends Incogni, which targets hundreds of brokers, reduces spam calls and offers mobile app management.