Many people don't realize how much of their personal data is floating around the internet. Even if you're careful and don’t use the internet much, your information like name, address, phone number, or email could still be listed on various websites. This can lead to annoying spam or, in serious cases, scams and fraud.
To help people become aware of this, ExpressVPN has created a free tool that lets you check where your personal information might be available online.
How the Tool Works
Using the tool is easy. You just enter your first and last name, age, city, and state. Once done, the tool scans 68 websites that collect and sell user data. These are called data broker sites.
It then shows whether your details, such as phone number, email address, location, or names of your relatives, appear on those sites. For example, one person searched their legal name and only one result came up. But when they searched the name they usually use online, many results appeared. This shows that the more you interact online, the more your data might be exposed.
Ways to Remove Your Data
The scan is free, but if you want the tool to remove your data, it offers a paid option. However, there are free ways to remove your information by yourself.
Most data broker sites have a page where you can ask them to delete your data. These pages are not always easy to find and often have names like “Opt-Out” or “Do Not Sell My Info.” But they are available and do work if you take the time to fill them out.
You can also use a feature from Google that allows you to request the removal of your personal data from its search results. This won’t delete the information from the original site, but it will make it harder for others to find it through a search engine. You can search for your name along with the site’s name and then ask Google to remove the result.
Other Tools That Can Help
If you don’t want to do this manually, there are paid services that handle the removal for you. These tools usually cost around $8 per month and can send deletion requests to hundreds of data broker sites.
It’s important to know what personal information of yours is available online. With this free tool from ExpressVPN, you can quickly check and take steps to protect your privacy. Whether you choose to handle removals yourself or use a service, taking action is a smart step toward keeping your data safe.
