{"id":158067,"date":"2024-04-26T05:20:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T12:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=158067"},"modified":"2025-04-02T23:42:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T06:42:15","slug":"how-to-remove-personal-information-from-data-broker-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/how-to-remove-personal-information-from-data-broker-sites\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Remove Personal Information From Data Broker Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"

Data brokers<\/span> are companies that collect your information from a variety of sources to sell or license it out to other businesses. Before they can pass your data along, brokers analyze it to put you into specific consumer profiles. Consumer profiles help businesses suggest products you might like and create targeted marketing campaigns based on your interests.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies who buy data from brokers use it for things like marketing or risk mitigation. For example, if you\u2019re a guitarist, a guitar manufacturer might try to reach you with an ad for their instruments. If you\u2019re in the market for car insurance, insurance <\/span>providers<\/span> might use your personal information to do a <\/span>background check<\/span> so they can assess the risk that you\u2019ll be in a car accident.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While businesses don\u2019t typically use your information maliciously, there are risks involved with having your <\/span>personal data<\/span> spread online. There might be certain details you don\u2019t want to share with the world, like health or <\/span>criminal records<\/span> or financial issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having your data featured online can also expose it to cybercriminals who might use it for <\/span>identity theft<\/span><\/a>. Sometimes, <\/span>hackers<\/span> can even breach information that\u2019s stored in an information broker\u2019s database. When a criminal has your data, they might be able to access your financial accounts, use your credit to secure a loan, or even use your insurance to receive medical care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This article shows you how to remove your information from <\/span>data broker sites<\/span> and <\/span>protect your data privacy online<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where do <\/span><\/b>data brokers<\/span><\/b> get your information?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are various ways for a <\/span>data broker<\/span> to access your personal information. Some of these information sources are <\/span>offline<\/span>. For example, a broker can peruse <\/span>public records<\/span> to view your <\/span>voter registration<\/span> information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other information sources that brokers use are online. For instance, a broker might track your buying history to see which products you\u2019re likely interested in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below are some of the top sources <\/span>data brokers<\/span> use to collect consumer information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n