Services for removing your data from public databases
Services for removing your data from public databases
Last year I did a major fuckup and bought a .us domain without noticing that they don't support WhoIs privacy, so my name number and address became part of the public WhoIs database scrapes. Since then my spam texts and calls have vastly multiplied. I'm realistic about the fact that the damage is done and it'll always exist out there, but I would happily pay some money to a service that sends takedown requests for the data in the public databases like LexisNexis etc. to lessen the damage. Do you know of any services that do this somewhat reliably? Or even a guide or something about doing this manually?
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I’ve used Optery since they posted on Hacker News a few years ago. Really satisfied with them - I get quarterly reports that show screenshots of my information being found on a site, then the same site and search not showing results after they’ve finished the takedown. The spot checks I’ve done myself show the same. Can’t find me by phone number, name, etc.
They have different tiered plans and over time I’ve upgraded my account to the top one for a few hundred per year just for extra peace of mind and to support them. Their plans range from $3.99/mo to $24.99/mo.
Checking them out, thanks. I kinda wish there was a different pricing model than a subscription for this kind of service.
edit; after signing up i can actually see within the free tier that there's a "buy custom scan" option which might allow more piecemeal payments, gonna look into it
This is one of the places where subscription makes sense, as they’re providing continual service. Although a one-time “clean it all up” followed by either a cheaper monthly plan or a retainer makes sense.
I see the logic if I was continually making potential leaks (I guess we all are), but for trying to clean up a specific thing like my case, I suppose I can just buy one month.
The problem is that a single leak spreads in ripples. You get it all taken down, but someone sells your data anyway, and it propagates to a whole new set of places. So then you need to get it all removed again. And invariably someone will sell your info AGAIN, and so you go through it during that round too. Eventually it fades out, but that can take years.
Yeah true. I think what I'm looking for is a reasonable cost/benefit/time investment, like maybe I'll order a Kanary scan once a year and manually opt them all out. I did kanary this afternoon and the vast majority only had my voter registration info, but a few had attached my cell number which might be from the WhoIs data. If I can slow the spread of that for <$20/year I'll feel satisfied.
Optery does alright, i think.
I’m sure there are better by now, but I’ve been satisfied overall