{"id":182041,"date":"2025-01-29T15:56:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T23:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=182041"},"modified":"2025-01-30T18:57:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T02:57:29","slug":"introducing-personal-data-cleanup-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/privacy-identity-protection\/introducing-personal-data-cleanup-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Personal Data Cleanup"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re excited to announce the release of McAfee\u2019s Personal Data Cleanup, a new feature that finds and removes your personal info from data brokers and people search sites. Now, you can feel more confident by r<\/span>emoving personal info\u00a0from data broker sites and keeping it from being collected, sold, and used to:\u00a0advertise products to you, fill your email box with spam, and can even give criminals the info they need to steal your identity.\u00a0<\/span>Let\u2019s look at why we’re offering McAfee Personal Data Cleanup, how it protects your privacy, and why it\u2019s a great addition to the online protection we already offer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does the cost of a connected life have to be your privacy?<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s so much to enjoy when you live a connected life \u2013 free email, online stores that remember what you like, social media that connects you to friends and influencers. It\u2019s a world of convenience, opportunity, and incredible content. It\u2019s also a world where\u00a0your data is constantly collected.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait. Did you say my data?\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

That\u2019s right, companies are collecting your personal data. They\u2019re called data brokers and they make money by selling information that specifically identifies you, like an email address. They sell this information to marketers looking to target you with ads. Criminals can also use it to build profiles in service of <\/span>stealing your identity<\/span><\/a> and accessing your accounts.\u00a0This activity takes place behind the\u00a0scenes\u00a0and often without consumers\u2019 knowledge.\u00a0 There are also data brokers known as people search sites that compile and sell info\u00a0like home\u00a0addresses,\u00a0emails, phones, court records, employment info, and more.\u00a0These websites give identity\u00a0thieves, hackers, stalkers, and other malicious actors easy access to your info. Regardless of how your data is being used, it\u2019s clear that these days a more connected life often comes at the cost of your privacy. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumers are clamoring for more privacy online<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In a recent survey of McAfee customers, we found that 59% have become more protective of their personal data over the past six months. And it\u2019s no wonder. Over the past two years, trends like telehealth, remote working, and increased usage of online shopping and financial services have meant that more of your time is being spent online. Unsurprisingly, more personal data is being made available in the process. This leads us to the most alarming finding of our survey – 95% of consumers whose personal information ends up on data broker sites had it collected without their consent.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n