If you want to remove your information from the internet, start with data brokers: the companies that collect and sell your personal data. Data broker removal requires five steps: find the opt-out page, locate your record, submit a removal request, wait for processing, and verify removal. This process must be repeated for each of the hundreds of brokers that may hold your data.
Step 1: Find the Opt-Out Page
Most people search sites have opt-out pages, but they’re deliberately hard to find: buried in footers, not indexed by search engines, or obscurely labeled. To opt out of data brokers, you’ll need to locate each one’s specific removal process. Search “[data broker site name] opt out” in your search engine.
Step 2: Locate Your Record
Search by name, address, phone, or email. Identify which record is yours and copy the URL or record ID. Some sites maintain multiple listings for the same person with slightly different data; you’ll need to submit separate requests for each.
Step 3: Submit Your Opt-Out Request
Forms vary. Some need only the URL, while others demand personal information to verify identity. Many require email or phone verification. A few, like Radaris, require you to create an account, which means providing additional data to the very company you’re trying to remove data from.
Step 4: Wait for Processing
Most data broker removal requests begin processing within 48 hours. Approximately 70% of sites complete removal within 30 days. Complex cases may take 90 days.
Step 5: Verify Removal
Search for your data again after the processing period. If your information remains, resubmit or contact customer service. Document each request: some brokers have poor compliance rates and require follow-up.
Major People Search Site Opt-Out Guides
- TruthFinder: part of PeopleConnect network; one request also covers Intelius, US Search, Instant Checkmate
- WhitePages: requires phone verification
- Spokeo: paste profile URL into opt-out form, confirm via email
- BeenVerified: search on opt-out page, select “Proceed to Opt Out”
- Intelius: one request covers the PeopleConnect network
- Instant Checkmate: PeopleConnect network; covered by TruthFinder or Intelius opt-out
- Radaris: submit through data control page; may require account creation
- PeopleFinder: independent site; submit via opt-out page with email verification
- VeriPages: locate “Remove This Record” on your profile page
- LexisNexis: B2B data broker; opt out via consumer disclosure portal
- FastPeopleSearch: look for “Remove My Record” on your profile
- TruePeopleSearch: click “Remove This Record”
- USPhoneBook: phone number-focused; submit via opt-out page
Why Manual Removal Doesn’t Scale
With hundreds of data brokers registered across U.S. state registries — each with its own opt-out process — manual removal doesn’t scale. According to Consumer Reports, most consumers abandon the process before completing even a fraction of available sites.
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The deeper problem is permanence. A Consumer Reports investigation found that the majority of removed personal data reappeared within months, even when professional services handled the work. Data brokers refresh continuously from the same sources that fed the original listing. One-time data broker opt out isn’t enough. Learn why your information keeps coming back →
Instead of repeating this process across hundreds of sites yourself, RemoveMe scans, removes, and continuously monitors 115+ data broker sites on your behalf. [Start your free scan →]
→ Why Does My Information Keep Reappearing?
→ Data Broker Removal Services: What to Look For
→ Types of Data Broker Sites
