The laws and terms behind data removal, in plain language. Each entry gives a direct definition, then links to the practical details and rights you can use.
A data broker opt-out is a request telling a broker to stop selling and publishing your personal information. What opt-out means, how it works, and why one request rarely sticks.
Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that can identify a specific person. Categories, examples, and what counts as sensitive under privacy law.
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives residents rights over their personal data — including the CPRA expansion and the Delete Act.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs consumer reports used for decisions such as credit, employment, and housing. It does not regulate every people-search site or every use of personal data.
The right to be forgotten is the EU-originated right to demand erasure of personal data. GDPR Article 17 explained, and what US residents can do.
A data broker collects personal information from public, commercial, or inferred sources and sells, licenses, shares, or uses it to create profiles.
A people-search site is a consumer-facing directory that lets someone look up details such as a person’s age, address history, phone numbers, relatives, and possible associates.
Data aggregation combines records from multiple sources into a larger dataset or profile. Matching errors can attach another person’s information to you.
A public-records directory organizes government records and related commercial data into searchable profiles. The directory is not necessarily the original record keeper.
Data minimization means collecting, sharing, and retaining only the personal information needed for a stated purpose—and no longer than necessary.
People-search removal asks a directory to suppress or delete a public-facing profile. It does not erase the original public records or copies held elsewhere.
A background-check site compiles identity, address, court, and other records. Some products are consumer reports regulated by the FCRA; many people-search products say they are not.
Run a free scan to see which sites are exposing your personal information — name, phone, address, email, and more.