How to Remove My Personal Information from Online

In the age of the internet, personal information is highly susceptible to exposure, whether through social media platforms, data breaches, or even simple search engine queries. Having your private details online can lead to identity theft, fraud, harassment, and loss of privacy. But removing your personal information from the web is possible, although it’s not an easy, one-step process. It involves a comprehensive approach, including contacting websites, using online tools, and sometimes legal action.

Start with Search Engines

One of the quickest ways to assess how much of your personal information is available online is by doing a Google search of your name, email address, or any other identifier. Search engines index a vast amount of data, and if your information shows up in results, this is where you should start.

• Contacting Google for Removal:
  Google provides a system for you to request the removal of personal information, particularly if it involves sensitive details like your social security number, credit card information, or explicit images. However, for general information like your name or address, Google may not remove it unless you provide a valid legal reason. It’s a complicated process, but worth considering if the information is harmful.
• Bing, Yahoo, and Other Search Engines: Similarly, these platforms also offer tools for requesting content removal, although Google’s processes are more refined and commonly used.

Remove Information from Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn often house a great deal of your personal information, much of which is exposed by default settings or oversharing.

• Review Privacy Settings: The first step is to review and update your privacy settings. Many platforms now allow you to control who can see your posts, contact information, and even your profile itself.
• Delete Old Accounts: If you have older accounts that you no longer use, it’s a good idea to either delete them or set them to private. Deleting accounts ensures that no information is visible to anyone, although some platforms may retain the data on their servers.
• Use Tools Like 'Jumbo': Jumbo is an app that helps manage your digital footprint, allowing you to remove posts, update privacy settings, and even limit the data social media platforms can collect about you.

Removing Personal Information from Data Broker Sites

Data brokers are companies that collect and sell your information to marketers, advertisers, or anyone willing to pay for it. These companies scrape public records, purchase data, and compile dossiers on individuals. Sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, and others specialize in selling this information. Thankfully, you can opt out, though it requires some legwork.

• Opt-out Manually: Most of these websites offer a manual process to request the removal of your information. This usually involves filling out forms, providing identification, and sometimes even paying a fee.
• Use Services Like DeleteMe: DeleteMe is a service that will take care of the tedious process of removing your information from these sites. For an annual fee, they’ll monitor and continually request that your data be removed from various data broker platforms. It’s one of the most effective ways to ensure a comprehensive cleanup of your information online.

Request Removal from Websites

If your personal information appears on specific websites—like blog posts, news articles, or forums—you will need to contact the site administrator directly to request its removal. This process can be time-consuming, and many websites may refuse to take down the information, citing freedom of speech or editorial policies. However, polite and persistent communication can sometimes work in your favor.

• Legal Action: In some cases, you may need to involve a lawyer, especially if the information shared online is defamatory, incorrect, or harmful. You can issue a 'cease and desist' letter or other legal documentation to compel websites to remove sensitive content.
• Copyright Takedown (DMCA): If someone has shared your content (like photos or writings) without permission, you can file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request to have the material removed from the website. Most sites comply with these requests quickly to avoid legal ramifications.

Use Online Tools to Monitor Your Information

Another effective way to manage your personal information is to use tools that help you monitor where your details appear online. Google Alerts allows you to set notifications when your name or email address shows up in search results, while services like Reputation.com help you monitor and manage your digital presence more extensively.

• Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts to notify you when your name, email, or other identifiers appear in new search results. This is a free and effective way to keep tabs on any new leaks or exposures of your personal data.
• Reputation.com: This is a paid service that offers more robust reputation management solutions, including monitoring your online presence, suppressing unwanted information, and improving your search results with positive content.

Take Steps to Protect Your Information Going Forward

Removing your information from the internet is not a one-time fix; it requires ongoing maintenance. As you remove your information from various platforms, take proactive steps to ensure it stays private.

• Use Strong Privacy Settings on New Accounts: Whenever you create a new account, be it social media or any other platform, review and set your privacy settings to the strictest possible levels.
• Be Cautious with What You Share: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your phone number, home address, or even work details publicly. Use private messaging for more personal conversations, and always review what’s visible to the public.
• Two-factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication on any account that supports it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second step (like a code sent to your phone) to log in.

In Conclusion

Removing your personal information from the internet is an ongoing, multi-step process. While it may seem daunting, by following these strategies, you can reclaim control of your digital identity. From requesting removals from search engines and social media platforms to employing online tools like DeleteMe and Reputation.com, persistence is key. Keep in mind that some data might never disappear completely, but the more proactive you are, the better your chances of limiting exposure.