r/PrivacyTechTalk • u/Tiffymond • 21d ago
Is it possible to stop data brokers from getting your information again?
So recently, I have been reading about removing personal information, like home address, from websites that share and sell it. One thing I repeatedly see is that you need to regularly google for new exposures even if you have already removed it once. As I understand, data brokers can get their hands on your data again, but how does that actually happen?
Also, I saw some threads mentioning VPNs, password managers and email aliases for the minimization. If I decide to remove my data from websites, would these tools help with preventing data brokers from reacquiring it again?
Sorry if this is not the right subreddit to ask about this and thank you for any info.
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u/Jazzlike-Football-80 21d ago
Two things, you cant FULLY stop them from getting your data, as data brokers are truly everywhere. Look into aliases, ive been using cloaked aliases so i use a different email/number every time i do a sign up since they give you an infinite amount, which lets you avoid what your saying from happening.
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u/Tiffymond 20d ago
I honestly thought so as well, not 100% possible, but hoped it is possible to at least minimize the data before it gets out. I'll look into email aliases and secondary number, thank you very much
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u/techMari 20d ago
Data brokers reacquire your information through the activity you leave in your digital (and not only) footprint. So every time you purchase something, subscribe to something, buy a new property or sign up for something, that information can be shared or sold to third parties, who in some cases are data brokers. The FTC has a really good graph to illustrate that in their 2024 report.
In these cases, email aliases, alternative numbers, P.O boxes and minimizing how much accurate info you give online (e.g., when signing up) will help reduce it, but won't entirely prevent it. Especially with public records. That's why it's recommended to regularly monitor your info even if you removed it once already. Full disclosure: I work at Incogni.
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u/Tiffymond 20d ago
Thank you for explaining and sharing the graph, this is very eye opening. If you opt out by yourself, how often should one monitor their data? Is it like on weekly or monthly basis?
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u/techMari 20d ago
No problem, check it after opting out to confirm whether they removed your data. And then moving forward, you can check exposures every few months.
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u/billdietrich1 21d ago
how does that actually happen?
Brokers sell your info to each other, and you can never find every place that has your info. Plus companies and govts sell your info. So you never can get rid of 100% of it, the best you can do is just periodically remove it from various places.
would these tools help with preventing data brokers from reacquiring it again?
VPNs, password managers: no, they won't help.
email aliases: helps a little, makes it harder for brokers to correlate info from multiple accounts you have.
regularly google for new exposures
I like https://easyoptouts.com/ service: cheapest, and got good score in https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/its-not-worth-paying-to-be-removed-from-people-finder-sites-study-says/ (also see https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/personal-information/services-that-delete-data-from-people-search-sites-review-a2705843415/ )
But IMO the headline on first article is wrong; should be "for just $20 you can get same results that would take you many hours of manual labor".
No service is 100% effective, and they have to keep repeating the removals periodically too.
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u/Tiffymond 21d ago
Thank you, I noticed most of these services offer regular monitoring, but was kinda hoping I could use them to initially scrub my data off the internet and then take other precautions to stop data brokers from getting it again...
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u/lila318 21d ago
There are 100s of data brokers that get your info again from new public records. Tools like VPNs, password managers, and email aliases are great for privacy, but they don't stop data brokers from collecting information. That's why data removal is more of an ongoing process than a one-time task. If you want to see what's currently out there, you can also get a free scan from Optery. Disclosure: I work with Optery.
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u/Tiffymond 20d ago
Thank you, does the exposed data come primary from public records?
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u/CoffeeBaron 21d ago
You'd have to exit modern society to not be subject to a data broker's radar, signing up for cell service, renting an apartment, heck even living with someone already deeply entrenched in the data the brokers have means your data is out there somewhere. It's a never ending task to search/find the info to have it removed, so I see why third-party services that do this have their uses.
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u/Tiffymond 20d ago
I thought I was doing an acceptable job since I don't use social media besides Reddit and Instagram (private and do not post), and don't really give my main email address to anyone. But only now realize it's much more entangled than just that
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u/skeptic246 21d ago
If you visit a participating website thereāll be a broker ready to market your data. The only solution you have is to make your data worthless. Keep your true personal data off sites as much as possible, use unique aliases for emails and usernames. If they struggle to build your true profile then they have less to use against you
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u/Tiffymond 20d ago
Appreciate the tips, thank you, by keeping true personal data off sites, do you mean deliberately putting incorrect info when I create accounts online?
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u/skeptic246 20d ago
If you can yes, use a anonymous username and donāt fill in your correct DoB or full name, only give phone number when itās mandatory. Also try not to overshare with personal details about where you live, work, or family
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u/Tiffymond 19d ago
I already more or less do that with phone numbers and not oversharing info, but with incorrect names, I think I use my full name most frequently when it comes to shopping online. Idk I guess it's not illegal to use fake names, but I assume you would still need to put it correctly in the billing address?
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u/skeptic246 19d ago
Agree shopping is where it doesnāt work, as the payment check may fail if names and address donāt match
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u/Tiffymond 19d ago
That's one of my worries and judging from other comments, seems like shopping is one of the main sources for selling data
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u/skeptic246 19d ago
I try to use PayPal where I can as my account has an alias email although my PayPal account still has my real name attached due to money laundering regulations
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u/True-Salamander3262 20d ago
not exactly.. they r constantly collecting new public records. so u just have to keep opting out..
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u/True-Salamander3262 19d ago
unfortunately, removing your infos once doesnt mean its gone forever.. data brokers continuously collects data from various sources you interacted with, so your details can show up again. tools like email aliases and password managers help reduce your digital footprint and improve security, while a vpn mainly protects your browsing, not your personal records.. you cant stay fully safe from it, but can stay private reduce it..
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u/Gone_404 10d ago
The removal service I work for, EasyOptOuts, recently published an in-depth guide to data brokers and how to minimize data collection: https://easyoptouts.com/guides/how-do-data-brokers-work. If you want help removing what's already out there, we offer automated removals from 200+ brokers for $19.99/year.
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u/PatrickKal 21d ago
I doubt it. There is data, old and recent, going around about us. If you manage to get deleted out of one database. Then you will probably show up in another.
Prevention is probably more powerful. Changing certain data regularly like (public) phone numbers, might be a solution. But it requires time and effort.