How to Erase Your Personal Information from the Internet — And Why It’s Important
In our current digital world, your personal data is more available than ever. From your name and address to your phone number and even your Social Security number, data brokers and people search platforms gather and sell your information to marketers, scammers, and anyone inclined to pay. If this seems concerning — it certainly should. Thankfully, there are methods to regain your privacy and erase your personal information from the internet. Here’s why it’s crucial and how you can take action.
Why Your Online Personal Data Matters
You might wonder, “If my information is already publicly accessible, what’s the harm?” The concern isn’t just about the existence of your data — it’s about how it’s collected, sold, and utilized.
Data brokers collect your information from public records, social media, online purchases, and various other sources. They then sell this information in bulk to advertisers, telemarketers, and even more disturbingly, scammers and cybercriminals. These malicious entities utilize the data to impersonate you, steal your identity, or inundate you with phishing emails and robocalls.
The greater the number of locations where your data is housed, the more at risk you become. Eliminating your personal information from these databases greatly decreases your susceptibility to cyber threats and unwelcome solicitations.
The Difficulty of Manual Data Removal
Even though you have the legal right to request the deletion of your personal information from various websites, doing it manually can be quite challenging. Here’s why:
– There are numerous data brokers and people search websites.
– Each site has a distinct removal procedure, often necessitating identification verification.
– Removal requests may require several weeks to be processed.
– Your data could resurface after a period, forcing you to redo the process.
In essence, manually erasing your data is time-consuming, laborious, and frequently ineffective over the long haul.
How Incogni Eases the Process
Incogni is a privacy service designed to streamline the process of removing your personal data from the web. Created by the team behind Surfshark VPN, Incogni acts on your behalf to reach out to data brokers and request the elimination of your information.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register and Authorize: After setting up an account, you give Incogni the authorization to act on your behalf under privacy regulations like the GDPR and CCPA.
2. Provide Basic Details: You enter up to three email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses that you wish to monitor.
3. Automated Removal Requests: Incogni identifies the data brokers holding your information and dispatches removal requests.
4. Continuous Monitoring: Incogni consistently checks these sites. If your data resurfaces, it automatically submits new removal requests.
5. Dashboard Monitoring: You can keep track of the status of each request through a user-friendly dashboard.
Incogni’s Unlimited Plan
Incogni provides an “Unlimited” plan that features a noteworthy advantage: custom removal requests. If you discover your personal information on a site not already tracked by Incogni, you can submit the URL, and a privacy agent will manage the removal process for you.
This plan is perfect for users who desire extensive coverage and assurance that their data is being actively safeguarded.
Pricing Plans
Incogni offers multiple pricing options to cater to various needs:
– Individual Plan (Annual): $99.48 ($8.29/month)
– Family & Friends Plan (Annual): $197.88 ($16.49/month) – Covers up to 5 individuals
– Individual Unlimited Plan (Annual): $179.88 ($14.99/month)
– Family Unlimited Plan (Annual): $359.88 ($29.99/month)
These plans are attractively priced, especially when considering the time and effort conserved compared to manual removal.
Why Incogni Is a Smart Choice
In a time when data breaches and identity theft are increasingly prevalent, safeguarding your personal information is no longer optional — it’s vital. Incogni offers a no-fuss, efficient solution to an escalating issue. Whether you’re worried about privacy, fed up with spam calls, or aiming to lessen your digital footprint, Incogni serves as a valuable asset in your cybersecurity toolkit.
Final Insights
Your personal data is a significant asset — to you and to those aiming to exploit it. Taking command of your online identity by deleting your information from data broker sites represents one of the most effective measures to protect yourself. While manual removal is doable, services like Incogni expedite, simplify, and enhance the reliability of the process.
If you’re prepared to reclaim your privacy, think about signing up for Incogni and let the professionals handle the hard work for you.
Discover more and get started here: https://deal.incogni.io/aff_c?offer_id=5&aff_id=1230
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. The author may earn a commission if you choose to sign up for Incogni through the provided links.