This guide aims to provide you with the basics of data removal you can do yourself for free. I will cover using our opt-out lists and some advice on the best ways to attack some common issues that people face when going through this process. I will be referencing several parts of this site and others that get updated frequently, be sure to reference this guide for any updates.
This guide is broken down into three sections: Prepare, Methods and Removal. Each section will walk you through the basic steps to start you on your data removal and privacy journey.
This section focuses on identifying and organizing your personal data as well as the tools needed to safely remove your information.
The methods section will help you understand and use data removal techniques and familiarize yourself with the opt-out list format.
This section will walk you through the data removal process for maximum efficiency and effectively utilize the opt-out lists.
The personal data removal worksheet will help you identify and organize your personal data. The data collected in this document will become targets for your removal requests and help with a complete date removal. It is important to identify things such as nicknames, alternate spelling, and any previous information that might link you to identifiable information.
We always recommend an alternate email address just for your opt-out process. This email should be used ONLY for data removal services and not contain any identifiable information. This email will be abandoned after the data removal process.
ProtonMail – A secure and encrypted email service based in Switzerland. Top Choice.
Gmail – Google’s Gmail doesn’t need much explanation. Do not use accurate information when signing up.
Tutanota – A secure and encrypted email service based in Germany
Yahoo Mail – Yahoo Mail is still one of the top email providers on the internet.
Anonymous Phone Number – Not having a cell phone number is extremely rare in our digital society and is usually a requirement for social media or paid account creations. People rarely change their phone numbers which makes it an idea mechanism to link your information from different data sources. To prevent this linking in our removal process we will use a temporary phone number to add another layer of privacy. Here are a few services we recommend.
Burner – App for both iPhone and Andriod. Lets you pick a disposable number(s) for use. 7-day free trial.
Mint Mobile Starter Kit – If you have an old cell phone you can buy a Mint starter kit for $0.99 online or at pharmacies and electronic stores. You get 100MB of 4G data, 100 text messages and 100 voice minutes. No contract and can be discarded after use.
MySudo – A personal favorite. Allows you to create profiles including a phone number and email address. Plans start at $0.99/month.
Google Voice – Google Voice is an ok option but still requires you pair an existing phone number to your service.
Some services still require or provide a fax option for data removal. Personally I believe this is to deter people from pursing the opt-out process. Luckily there are fax services we can utilize to complete this process easily. There are two FREE services that I recommend and are easy to use.
GotFaxFree – A free and easy way to do an outbound fax. Three pages per fax and a maximum of two faxes a day.
FaxZero – Another free fax outbound service. Maximum of three faxes or a max of 25 pages.
This section will describe the main opt out methods implemented by online websites. Some removal methods are easier than others while some removal methods are more frustrating. Don’t get discouraged and stay focused on completing your removal request.
These are the easiest to request your data to be removed. Simply click on the link and fill out the data removal request form.
E-mail the Basic Opt-Out Form or which ever form meets your situation to the listed e-mail address. Make sure you put “Data Removal Request” or “Opt-Out Request” as the subject and ALL the information requested.
Use the Basic Opt-Out Form or which ever form meets your situation and fax it to the listed number. Again be sure to include all requested information in the opt out instructions.
Print out the Basic Opt-Out Form or whatever form meets your situation. Use standard 1st class US Postal Mail to the listed mailing address.
Now that you have the tools and a general understanding of the opt-out process we can start the data removal process.
Do not give your data away. Do not submit a removal or opt-out request unless your data appears on this site.
Be Persistent. It may take several attempts to remove all your data. If one method doesn’t work, try another.
Keep Organized. Print off the Opt-Out list, use a notepad or anything that works for you to note when you submitted your request.
Leaving Inaccurate Information. Data that does not identify you or that is not correct can be left unchanged. Wrong information can help shield any accurate information from being identified.
We have designed the layout of the Opt-Out list for data removal as easy as possible. The list is divided in sections and we suggest completing each section as a whole for maximum effectiveness. It is also recommended to address any sites first that may pose a heightened privacy risk.
Quick Start
Don’t have time to go through the whole Opt-Out List?
We have compiled our top sites to suppress your data that will have the biggest impact on your privacy. These sites will be a good start to removing your data from the internet but we still highly encourage the completion of our Opt-Out List.