Type your name into a search engine and you might be surprised. Your home address, phone number, age, relatives and even past jobs can show up on websites you’ve never heard of, ready for anyone to see.
This information is collected and sold by data brokers and people-search sites. It can be used for spam calls, scams, identity theft or simply by strangers who want to know more about you than they should.
The good news is that you can take most of it down. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to remove your personal information from the internet, which free tools to use and when a data removal service is worth it.
Why Is Your Personal Information Online?
Most people never posted their address or phone number publicly. So how does it end up online? The main sources are:
- Data brokers: companies that collect information from public records, online purchases, apps and social media, and then sell it.
- People-search sites: websites that organize that data into profiles anyone can look up by name, phone or address.
- Public records: property records, court records and voter registrations, depending on your state.
- Old accounts and profiles: social media, forums and websites you signed up for years ago.
- Data breaches: leaks from companies that stored your information.
Step 1: Find Out What’s Out There About You
Before removing anything, see what others can find. Search your full name together with your city, phone number and email address on Google and Bing, and check the first few pages of results.
AI search apps can make this faster. OneSearch: DeepSearch Finder gathers what’s publicly available about a name into one organized summary, so you can review your digital footprint in minutes.
💡 Tip: make a simple list of every site where you find your information. It will help you track your removal requests.
Step 2: Remove Your Contact Details from Google
Google offers a free tool called Results about you. With it, you can:
- Find search results that show your phone number, email or home address.
- Request that Google remove those results from search.
- Get alerts when new results with your contact details appear.
Keep in mind that removing a result from Google doesn’t delete it from the original website. That’s why the next step is so important.
Step 3: Opt Out of Data Broker and People-Search Sites
Most people-search sites, such as Whitepages, Spokeo and BeenVerified, let you request the removal of your profile. The process is usually similar:
- Search for your name on the site and find your profile.
- Look for a link called “Opt out”, “Do not sell my info” or “Privacy”, usually at the bottom of the page.
- Follow the steps and confirm the request by email.
- Check again after a few weeks, because profiles can reappear.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of data brokers, and many of them add your information back over time. Doing it manually works, but it takes patience.
If you live in California: use DROP
California residents can use DROP (Delete Request and Opt-out Platform), a free state tool that sends a single deletion request to all registered data brokers. Data brokers started processing these requests in August 2026, and deletions repeat regularly after that.
Step 4: Let a Data Removal Service Do the Work
If you don’t have time to contact dozens of sites, a data removal service can send opt-out requests for you and keep monitoring for new listings. These are some of the best-known options:
| Service | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DeleteMe | Removes your personal data from data brokers and people-search sites, with regular reports | Hands-off removal with detailed reports |
| Incogni | Automatically sends removal requests to data brokers and follows up | Simple, automated data broker removal |
| Aura | All-in-one identity protection that includes data broker removal, credit monitoring and more | People who want removal plus identity theft protection |
Before subscribing, compare which sites each service covers, how often it scans for new listings, whether it covers family members and the total cost per year. Most of them offer monthly and annual plans.
Step 5: Lock Down Your Social Media
Your own profiles are often the easiest place for strangers to learn about you. Take a few minutes to:
- Set your accounts to private or limit who can see your posts.
- Remove your phone number, birthday and address from your profiles.
- Turn off location tagging on photos and posts.
- Delete or deactivate old accounts you no longer use.
Step 6: Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Even after removing your data, some information may already be in the wrong hands. These steps protect your finances:
Freeze your credit
A credit freeze stops criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and doesn’t affect your credit score. You need to request it separately with each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The FTC explains how in its guide to credit freezes and fraud alerts.
Check your credit reports
You can get free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site authorized by federal law. Look for accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize.
Consider identity theft protection
Services like Norton LifeLock and Aura monitor your personal information, alert you to suspicious activity and offer help if your identity is stolen.
If you think your identity has already been stolen, report it and get a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC’s official site.
Step 7: Secure Your Accounts with a Password Manager
Reused passwords are one of the main ways accounts get hacked after a data breach. A password manager creates and stores a unique, strong password for every site, so you only need to remember one.
- 1Password: a popular paid password manager with apps for every device.
- Bitwarden: an open-source option with a free plan for personal use.
Combine it with two-factor authentication on your email, bank and social media accounts for much stronger protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove my personal information from the internet for free?
Yes. You can use Google’s Results about you tool, opt out of data broker sites manually and, if you live in California, use DROP. Paid services mainly save you time and keep monitoring for new listings.
How long does it take to remove my information?
Google removals and data broker opt-outs can take from a few days to several weeks. Because data brokers often add information back, it’s a good idea to check again every few months.
Are data removal services worth it?
They can be worth it if you don’t have time to contact dozens of sites or if you want ongoing monitoring. Compare coverage and annual cost before choosing.
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A credit freeze is free and doesn’t affect your credit score. You can temporarily lift it when you need to apply for credit.
Final Thoughts
You can’t erase everything about yourself from the internet, but you can dramatically reduce what strangers can find. Start by searching yourself, remove what you can through Google and data broker opt-outs, and consider a data removal service if you want help.
Then protect what matters most: freeze your credit, check your reports and use a password manager with two-factor authentication. A few hours of work today can save you a lot of trouble later.
This article is for informational purposes only. Features, coverage and prices of the services mentioned may change. Check each provider’s official website before subscribing.