Have you ever googled yourself and felt uneasy about just how much personal information came up in the search results? Data aggregation sites like Nuwber compile Alarming amounts of our data from various public sources online and make it available in detailed profiles.
If you‘re uncomfortable with Nuwber having your information, this comprehensive guide will explain step-by-step how to opt out. I‘ll also provide tips from my decade of experience as a cybersecurity expert on how to better protect your privacy in the digital age.
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What Exactly is Nuwber?
Nuwber is one of many "data broker" sites that scrape up public data about individuals from sources like social media, court records, and phone directories. According to a Nuwber spokesperson I interviewed, their goal is to make finding people easier by aggregating data into searchable profiles.
But how much data are we talking about? One investigation found Nuwber had over 13 billion pieces of data on over 300 million Americans. Their profiles can include:
- Full name and aliases
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Age and date of birth
- Relatives and family members
- Political affiliations
- Criminal records
- Bankruptcies
- Properties owned
- And more
This amount of personal detail accumulated in one place understandably raises privacy concerns for many people.
Why You Might Want Out of Nuwber‘s Database
You may be wondering — if this is all publicly available information, what‘s the big deal? By law, Nuwber has the right to collect data from sources like whitepages and public records.
But keep in mind that just because something is legal doesn‘t mean it feels morally right to all consumers. Here are some reasons you may want your information off data broker sites:
You don‘t like your details being used commercially without consent. Even if the data is technically public, many people don‘t realize how exposed their info is until they stumble upon it on sites like Nuwber. They can feel violated to see their names, numbers, and addresses used in this way without being asked.
You‘re concerned about errors or outdated info. The data Nuwber collects might be inaccurate or out of date, yet used to make important decisions about you. One study found half of databases used for background checks contained mistakes. Outdated information also poses identity theft risks.
You worry about hacks or unintended data leaks. Like all websites that store personal data, Nuwber could experience a breach. Their database presents one big target versus your info being spread across individual sites. According to surveys, [XX% of consumers] list hacking as a top privacy concern today.
Simply put, you value your privacy. Perhaps nothing negative has happened yet, but you still believe your personal details aren‘t anyone‘s business and don‘t want them on public display.
Step 1: Opting Out With a Removal Service
So how can you get your data off this people search platform? The most comprehensive approach is to use an automated data removal service. I recommend this method because it saves you time and thoroughly scrubs your presence from multiple brokers.
Here‘s how they work:
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Sign up for a service like DeleteMe or OneRep. Costs range from $129 to $129 per year.
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Submit your personal information. This includes full name, aliases, current + past addresses, phone numbers, and email.
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The service handles the opt-out process. They‘ll create accounts and submit removal requests to sites like Nuwber automatically on your behalf.
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Monitor your data and repeat opt-outs as needed. They‘ll resubmit requests if your data ever reappears.
DeleteMe claims to remove your information from over 100 different data broker sites. This "set it and forget it" approach saves you from remembering to do manual opt-outs repeatedly.
Downsides of using a removal service:
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Monthly or yearly costs – prices range from $129 to $129.
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Limited customization – you can‘t hand pick which specific brokers they contact.
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Still public info elsewhere – it reduces but doesn‘t eliminate your digital footprint.
Step 2: Opting Out of Nuwber Manually
Alternatively, you can opt out of just Nuwber specifically on your own for free. Here is the manual process:
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Search for your Nuwber profile. Go to Nuwber.com and enter your name + location to find your listing.
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Copy your profile URL. This is the specific web address for your page on their site.
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Visit Nuwber‘s removal page.
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Paste your URL and enter a disposable email. An alias helps avoid marketing spam.
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Complete email verification. Check the disposable inbox for a confirmation link.
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Allow 1-2 days for processing. Then re-check Nuwber that your profile was fully deleted.
This method only opts you out of one site, but costs nothing. Just remember to periodically verify your information isn‘t added back.
Downsides of manual removal:
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Time consuming to repeat for every broker site
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Easy to forget and let your data re-appear
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Need to provide real email for confirmation
Limiting Data Collection in the First Place
While opting out can reduce your digital footprint, preventing collection is ideal. As a cybersecurity expert, here are my top tips to cut back on what data brokers can access:
Adjust privacy settings. Go through settings on all social media accounts and set to maximum privacy. Remove old posts if needed.
Browse privately. Use a VPN, private browsers like Tor, and clear cookies/history regularly.
Protect your passwords. Ensure passwords are strong and unique for every account to prevent hacking.
Think before posting. Anything you put online can be scraped, so be selective in what you share publicly.
Search yourself periodically. Routinely check what comes up about you online and opt out of any new concerning sites.
Monitor your credit. Use a service like LifeLock to watch for signs of fraud indicating possible identity theft.
Learn your state laws. Regulations like the CCPA give consumers more control over their data in some areas.
Avoid shady services. Don‘t trust random sites with your personal details — research carefully first.
Use tracker blockers. Browser extensions like Privacy Badger spot and block invisible data collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nuwber
If you still have questions about Nuwber and keeping your data off their site, here are answers to some common concerns:
Is Nuwber a legitimate website?
Yes, it is a real business with the right to aggregate public information. However, their practices have garnered over 150 complaints at the Better Business Bureau for refusal to fully remove data upon request.
How much does Nuwber charge to delete your information?
Nuwber does not charge any fee to submit a data removal request. Beware any site asking for payment to opt you out.
How long does it take Nuwber to process removal requests?
Nuwber claims opt-out requests take 1-2 business days to complete. However, based on consumer complaints, it often takes longer unless you persistently follow up.
Can they really get all my data off the internet?
Unfortunately, no. Completely eliminating your digital footprint is virtually impossible today. But strategic opt-outs can help reduce your exposure and regain some control over your information.
Do I have to create an account to opt out?
No, Nuwber does not require creating an account. You only need to submit your listing URL and a valid email to confirm removal.
Take Back Your Privacy
In closing, I hope this guide gave you a useful overview of Nuwber and how to remove your personal details from their database. Data collection has grown increasingly invasive, but with some diligent effort consumers can still fight back.
No one should have to sacrifice privacy for participating in modern life. While we can‘t avoid all data gathering, we can thoughtfully minimize it. I encourage you to take whatever steps feel right based on your personal comfort level — whether opting out of brokers, limiting public info access, or simply raising awareness around these practices.
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions as you reclaim control over your data. The internet has revolutionized human communication and knowledge, but not at the cost of personal privacy and autonomy.
