How to remove your personal information from the internet

Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026

You can get a lot of your personal information taken down — for free — by opting out of the data-broker and people-search sites that publish your name, address, phone, and relatives. It's tedious rather than hard, and some profiles reappear, so it's a recheck-every-few-months habit, not a one-time fix. Here's how to work through it.

1. Find where you're listed

You can't remove what you haven't found, so start by mapping it.

Search your own name plus your city in a search engine, and note the "people-search" sites that come up showing your address, phone, age, and relatives (Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, and the like).
Search your phone number and your email too — different brokers index different things.
That list of sites is your to-do list for the opt-outs below.

2. Opt out of the people-search sites

Most people-search sites offer opt-outs for certain information. Find the site’s official instructions, or search its name plus “opt out.”

Requests are free when you submit them yourself and may require identity verification. Some details remain in public records or other people’s reports. Recheck periodically for new listings.

See the FTC’s people-search guide.

3. Use your legal right to delete

Depending on where you live and which business holds the data, you may have a right to request deletion. Coverage and exceptions matter; deletion is not guaranteed.

California (CCPA/CPRA), the EU and UK (GDPR), and a growing list of US states give you the right to ask a company to delete the personal data it holds on you.
Look for a "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link or a "data subject request" / "privacy request" form.
Deletion and opting out of sale or sharing are different requests. Some data may be retained for legal obligations or other exceptions. Check California’s CCPA guidance or the UK ICO’s erasure guidance for the rules that apply.

California residents: consider free DROP

California’s DROP service lets residents submit one free deletion request to registered data brokers. Eligibility verification is required. Since August 1, 2026, brokers must access requests at least every 45 days; status updates can take up to 90 days.

A request does not mean every record has already disappeared. Matching, legal exemptions and the broker’s records affect the result; “not found” is not proof that no information exists elsewhere. See CalPrivacy’s explanation of deletion statuses. This is a California-resident option, not a nationwide deletion guarantee.

4. Lock down the source

Limit what you publish as well as requesting removals.

Review social-media visibility and remove contact details you do not want public.
Review app and account privacy settings.
Follow the FTC’s personal-information protection guidance.

A removal subscription does not configure your social accounts or replace account security.

When would paying add something?

Consider paid help if you want someone else to manage repeated opt-out requests. First list the sites that matter to you, then check routine coverage, custom-request rules, reporting, rechecks and cancellation. Those are separate from promises to prevent scams.

If you can manage the free requests, there is no need to buy. If you still want help, compare data-removal approaches, then the exact plans. The FTC’s people-search guide explains what to ask a paid service. For unwanted calls, see call filtering separately.

Frequently asked

Can I really remove my personal information from the internet for free?

You can request free opt-outs from most people-search sites. Some information may remain in public records, other people’s reports, or sites outside a service’s coverage. Listings can reappear. Deletion rights depend on your location and the business, with exceptions.

How do I opt out of people-search sites like Spokeo or Whitepages?

Search your name to find which sites list you, then go to each site's opt-out page — usually linked in the footer under "Privacy," "Do Not Sell My Info," or "Opt Out" — and submit the removal request. Some require an email confirmation. Removals can take days to weeks, and you'll want to recheck every few months because listings can come back.

Are paid data-removal services worth it?

They may save time by submitting and repeating opt-outs. Check which sites they cover, what they report, and how often they recheck. You can request people-search opt-outs yourself for free. Neither approach removes everything or guarantees fewer scam calls.

Why does removing my info reduce scam calls and texts?

Removal limits one public source of your contact details. It does not establish how a caller found you or guarantee fewer calls. Use call filtering as well, and judge a removal service by its documented coverage rather than a promise to stop scams.

Sources

01How To Protect Your Privacy Online— Federal Trade Commission
02Protect Your Personal Information From Hackers and Scammers— Federal Trade Commission