How do I remove my personal information from the internet?
You can reduce your online footprint by submitting opt-out requests to data brokers, requesting removal from Google search results, deleting unused accounts, and tightening social media privacy settings — full removal is impossible but meaningful reduction is achievable.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Complete erasure of your personal information from the internet is not realistic — data spreads to many sources and much of it is beyond your direct control. But a targeted campaign to reduce your exposure can significantly lower your risk of targeted scams, identity fraud, and privacy violations.
Data brokers are companies that collect, aggregate, and sell personal information — name, address, relatives, phone numbers, workplace history. They draw on public records, social media, and purchased datasets. Most have opt-out processes, though they vary in responsiveness. Sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius, and dozens of others all operate this way. You can submit opt-out requests manually, use a service like DeleteMe or Privacy Bee to do it on your behalf, or follow freely available opt-out guides from organisations like Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Search engine removal requests allow you to ask Google and Bing to remove specific search results from their indexes — not from the underlying site, but from search results. Google offers a removal request tool for certain categories including personal information in some jurisdictions (EU right to be forgotten, US 2023 policy updates). These do not remove data from the source site.
Deleting old, unused accounts removes potential breach exposure and reduces data broker input. Use a service like JustDeleteMe to find deletion links for major platforms.
Social media is a significant source for data brokers and scammers. Make profiles private, remove birth date and phone number from public views, and reconsider which information you post publicly.
Common red flags
- Your address, phone number, and relatives appear in data broker search results
- You receive highly personalised scam messages referencing your real name, employer, or address
- You found your personal details published on a website without your consent
- Your old email addresses appear in data broker databases
What to do now
- Search your name on Google and note which data broker sites surface your information
- Submit opt-out requests to the top data brokers — prioritise those that appear first in search
- Request removal from Google Search for pages containing your personal details using their removal tool
- Delete accounts on services you no longer use (haveibeenpwned.com shows which services may have your data)
- Set social media profiles to private and remove your phone number and address from public profile fields
- Consider a paid data removal service if the manual process is too time-consuming
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay for data removal services?
No — you can do it manually for free. Paid services save time by automating repeat opt-out submissions (data brokers often re-add your information after a few months). Whether the time savings justifies the cost is a personal decision.
How long does data broker opt-out take to process?
Most brokers remove listings within a few days to four weeks of a valid opt-out request. Some are faster; a few require follow-up. Re-check after 60 days as data can be re-added.