The Best Data Removal Services 2024 | All About Cookies

Our personal data has never been more endangered. Data breaches exposed over 22 billion records in 2021 alone according to RiskBased Security. Meanwhile identity theft continues rising, with over 14 million Americans victimized in 2021 according to Javelin Research.

In this environment, data removal services are almost a necessity to minimize risks from data misuse. By removing your information from shady data broker websites, you gain control over how your data is accessed and sold.

This comprehensive guide examines the top services that can delete your personal data from the internet‘s depths in 2024. As a cloud data security expert, I‘ll share insights into how these services work to opt you out of broker sites based on over a decade of experience in the field.

Let‘s explore what data removal can do to take back your privacy in the digital world.

The Best Data Removal Services 2024

Service	Starting Price	Best For
Aura	$12/month	Identity theft protection bundles
Incogni	$6.49/month	Hands-off automated removal
DeleteMe	$129/year	Reducing spam calls and emails
HelloPrivacy	$49.99/month	Low maintenance removal
Optery	$3.99/month	DIY removal assistance

Aura: Best for Bundling With Identity Theft Protection

Identity theft can wreck financial lives. As a cloud security expert, I always recommend identity protection services like Aura that monitor suspicious use of your personal data.

Aura goes beyond most ID protection services by also actively removing your data from known broker sites. Its robust set of features includes:

• Dark web monitoring – Alerts if your info appears on dark web sites where criminals buy and sell data.
• SSN tracking – Looks for fraudulent use of your SSN across financial applications, job screenings, and more.
• AI monitoring – Uses artificial intelligence to quickly flag abnormal credit card charges or suspicious login behaviors.
• Data removal – Contacts over 20 major data broker sites to opt you out.
• Credit reports/scores – Provides unlimited access to VantageScore credit scores and reports from TransUnion.

For effective identity theft deterrence paired with proactive data removal, Aura is a compelling choice. The main drawbacks are the relatively high monthly price and lack of a customized package (it‘s all or nothing).

Aura Specs:

• Price: $12 – $37/month
• Free Trial: 14 days
• Data Brokers Covered: 20+
• Rechecks Data: Unknown frequency
• Privacy Reports: Yes

Get Aura | Read Our Aura Review

Incogni: Best for Hands-Off Automated Removal

Incogni appeals to those wanting a set-it-and-forget-it data removal solution. After providing your personal info, Incogni handles contacting over 170 data broker sites on your behalf every month to opt you out.

I like Incogni for its speed and simplicity. Per the company, average removal time is just 3-5 days after signing up. The Incogni dashboard also provides transparency into its removal activity with data like:

• Date sites were contacted
• Specific peices of your info submitted for removal
• Status of the removal request

Incogni is owned by Surfshark, so you can bundle it with Surfshark‘s premium VPN service. The main downsides are lack of bonus privacy tools and dependence on the dashboard to track progress.

Incogni Specs:

• Price: $6.49 – $12.99/month
• Free Trial: No
• Data Brokers Covered: 170+
• Rechecks Data: Monthly
• Privacy Reports: No

Get Incogni | Read Our Incogni Review

DeleteMe: Best for Reducing Spam Calls and Emails

In addition to removing data from over 750 data brokers, DeleteMe provides disposable masked phone numbers and email addresses.

These masked contacts help prohibit unsolicited outreach. DeleteMe can automatically forward calls and emails from key contacts to your real inbox while spam goes into an isolated box.

From my experience, phone and email masking is highly effective for curtailing spam outreach. Paired with DeleteMe‘s robust broker removal service, you get protection coming and going.

Downsides are occasional extra fees for phone masking and limited late night support availability. But the sheer data removal scope makes DeleteMe one of the most powerful solutions available.

DeleteMe Specs:

• Price: $129/year ($10.75/month)
• Free Trial: No
• Data Brokers Covered: 750+
• Rechecks Data: Quarterly
• Privacy Reports: Yes

Get DeleteMe | Read Our DeleteMe Review

HelloPrivacy: Best for Low Maintenance Removal

For basic, affordable data removal, HelloPrivacy hits the spot. Signup is straightforward – provide your personal details and HelloPrivacy handles contacting over 50 data broker sites on your behalf.

I like that HelloPrivacy checks for your email addresses on breached databases as well. Its dark web monitoring scans over 12 billion compromised emails for matches.

The service also generates easy-to-understand Privacy Reports detailing potential data exposures. HelloPrivacy is likely too limited for power users but provides quality basic removal capabilities.

HelloPrivacy Specs:

• Price: $49.99/month or $119/year
• Free Trial: No
• Data Brokers Covered: 50+
• Rechecks Data: Monthly
• Privacy Reports: Yes

Get HelloPrivacy | Read Our HelloPrivacy Review

Optery: Best for DIY Removal Assistance

Optery assists DIY data removal by finding and aggregating your info from brokers into shareable reports. You can then use these reports as starting points for opting out yourself.

The free plan‘s transparency into your data exposure makes self-removal more feasible. Paid plans starting at $3.99/month include automated removal across over 270 sites.

As a cloud security expert, I suggest Optery for its visibility into the vast web of data brokers. Understanding exactly how your data spreads is invaluable whether you DIY or use Optery‘s paid removal.

Optery Specs:

• Price: Free or $3.99+/month for paid plans
• Free Trial: No
• Data Brokers Covered: 270+
• Rechecks Data: Quarterly
• Privacy Reports: Yes

Read Our Optery Review

Honorable Mentions

A couple other capable services worth checking out:

• Privacy Duck – Specializes in removing mugshot sites and paywall sites.

• OneRep – Very budget friendly at $4.99/month but still removes from 500+ sites.

Now let‘s examine exactly how data removal services work to unearth and delete your personal data.

How Data Removal Services Work

Data removal services utilize both automation and manual processes to identify brokers hosting your information across the web.

They search for data like:

• Full legal name
• Email addresses
• Home/mailing addresses
• Phone numbers
• Birthdates
• Photos

Data source examples:

• Public records aggregators
• People search sites
• Data brokers
• Marketing lists
• Mobile apps
• Social networks
• Retail/loyalty programs
• Court/arrest records
• Property records
• Voter registrations

Services use advanced search algorithms, bots, web scrapers, and manual review to uncover websites publishing your data. Per DeleteMe‘s 2021 reporting, their bot conducted over 2 billion search queries across thousands of sites to find customer data.

Once identified, services submit opt-out requests to remove your info. Common opt-out methods include:

• Online opt-out forms
• Direct emails/messages to site owners
• Opt-out links in site footers
• Formfilling bots to automate opt-out submissions
• Manual requests from human customer service staff

Data removal services must persistently recheck sites and resubmit requests. Even after "opting out", data brokers frequently readd people‘s information. Continual removal is essential.

Some companies offer extras like identity theft monitoring, email/phone masking, and detailed history reports. But broker removal remains the core service.

Choosing the Best Data Removal Service

With dozens of options on the market, I suggest focusing on 6 key factors when choosing a removal service:

Number of Data Brokers Contacted

More is better – top services reach 750+ brokers. Maximizing sources covered enhances removal comprehensiveness.

Frequency of Removing/Rechecking Data

Your data can reemerge over time on broker sites. Optimal services recheck for data monthly or quarterly, resubmitting removal requests as needed.

Responsiveness of Customer Support

Look for multiple contact options like phone, email, and chat support. Responsive support is invaluable if issues arise mid-removal.

Transparency Around Removals

The best services provide visibility into your data exposures found plus actions taken to remove it via privacy reports.

Price Point

Data removal services range from free to $30+ per month. Balance removal capabilities with your budget goals.

Additional Privacy Tools

Some companies bundle extras like disposable numbers/emails, identity theft monitoring, recommendation engines, and more.

Prioritize services offering extras tailored to your specific privacy concerns like reducing spam or monitoring data misuse.

Tips for DIY Data Removal

Looking to save money by removing data yourself? Here are my tips as a data security pro:

Utilize Search Engines Strategically

Use advanced search operators and filters to systematically uncover personal info online. Target specific data types and high-risk sites.

Focus on Biggest Threats

Deleting everything is impractical. Prioritize brokers with comprehensive histories or sensitive info like SSNs rather than one-off forums.

Learn Site Opt-Out Policies

Study how each site handles removal requests so you follow proper protocol. Expect to provide personal ID verification.

Leverage Removal Letter Templates

Well-crafted templates help you quickly generate removal letters tailored to each site while saving time.

Spread the Work Over Time

Take it slow tackling a few sites per week rather than all at once. Pace yourself for a marathon, not a sprint.

Persistently Recheck and Re-submit

Plan to regularly revisit already-removed sites to check for reposting of your data. Expect ongoing upkeep.

Now let‘s examine the key players in this ecosystem – data brokers themselves.

What Are Data Brokers and Where Do They Get Your Data?

Data brokers specialize in accumulating vast amounts of consumer information from both public and private sources to package into profiles sold to interested parties.

Per the Federal Trade Commission, significant data sources brokers draw from include:

• Public records – Government documents like licenses, deeds, voter files, court records, etc.

• Retailers and loyalty programs – Purchase histories, product registrations, and store loyalty programs.

• Mobile apps – An FTC study found over 85% of apps studied shared user data with third parties like brokers.

• Social networks – Despite privacy settings, public posts/pages plus metadata like connections are harvested.

• Website activities – Everything from search queries and browsing history to newsletter signups.

• Data suppliers – The FTC estimates over 2,500 companies supply consumer data directly to brokers.

• Inferences – Brokers make calculated guesses about your income, health, politics, and more based on other data collected.

Much of this happens secretly, with banks, stores, apps, and websites you use selling or sharing your information without clear consent. Data removal provides recourse to combat this opaque broker ecosystem.

Limit the Spread of Your Data

Beyond reactive removal, you can take proactive steps to guard your privacy:

• Use tracker blockers like Privacy Badger to prevent hidden third-party tracking as you browse.

• Leverage private browsing modes in your browser or search engines like DuckDuckGo to prevent tracking.

• Review app permissions carefully and only enable access to absolute essentials like location, contacts, etc.

• Scrutinize privacy policies and opt out of any unnecessary data sharing whenever possible.

• Provide limited info on non-essential forms/profiles. Share only what‘s required.

• Turn off location services in apps and phones when not needed to restrict location data access.

• Frequently audit social media privacy settings and account visibility to followers/public.

• Use a VPN to mask your IP address which can be used to link and track you.

Proactively restricting access to your personal information limits exposure to brokers from the start. Combined with frequently removing existing data, you can minimize privacy risks in the digital age.

Looking Ahead With Data Removal Services

The data removal space will continue evolving alongside technology used to collect our information. As a cloud security expert, a few key trends I‘m watching:

• Growth of mobile data harvesting – Our phones generate detailed location histories, app usage, and sensor data prized by brokers. Expect more services countering mobile data collection.

• Automation acceleration – Removal bots will get faster and more advanced. Manual searches will become less necessary over time.

• Targeting emerging public data sources – Forward-looking services are already looking beyond current brokers to new sites hosting personal data, like social media archives.

• Integration of AI/ML – Artificial intelligence can pattern match and uncover obscured links between data fragments from disparate sources to build profiles. Anonymizing or removing training data for these models will grow in importance.

• New data privacy regulations – Bills like the American Data Privacy and Protection Act propose tighter controls around selling consumer data. But regulatory change is notoriously slow. Removal services play a critical role in the interim.

While laws and technology evolve, data removal services give individual consumers sorely needed tools to exercise control. As threats to privacy increase from all sides, these services provide essential power to minimize risks and exposure.

Take Back Your Privacy With Data Removal

In today‘s digital age, personal information spreads far beyond your control. Data removal services offer recourse to reduce your exposure across the labyrinth of hidden data brokers. They identify sites trafficking in your data and simplify removing it.

Top services like Aura, Incogni, DeleteMe, HelloPrivacy, and Optery made my list for their capabilities balancing comprehensive removal, extra privacy tools, affordability, and ease of use. No option is flawless, but they provide immense value.

Approach data removal as an ongoing process requiring regular rechecking and resubmission of opt-outs. But leveraging these services slashes time required versus tackling removal alone. Paired with limiting data sharing when possible, you reclaim significant privacy – and peace of mind.

I hope this guide helps you understand the value of dedicated data removal services. Please feel free to reach out with any other questions! I‘m always happy to help regular folks like you better secure personal data in the digital age.