Types of data brokers, and how to opt out of each

Data brokers collect your name, address, phone number, relatives, and personal history, then publish it where anyone can find it. Delist finds your listings, files the removals, and re-submits when they come back.

The treadmill problem

Broker listings are the supply chain for the spam calls, scam texts, and unwanted contact that follow. The consumer-facing people-search sites are the ones you'd recognize. The wholesalers upstream do the most damage, quietly selling your data to downstream sites you've never heard of.

You can opt out yourself. Where applicable law gives you deletion or opt-out rights, brokers must process qualifying requests. The workflow still varies by site: some require email confirmation or identity verification, and a listing can return after new source data is ingested. Delist handles supported filing and monthly monitoring, and flags cases that need you.

Where to start

Grouped by impact. Umbrella operators and wholesalers cover the most ground per removal, so tackle those before the independents.

Umbrella sites: one opt-out covers many
The wholesalers: upstream of everyone
High-traffic independents
Genealogy & specialty
Don't want to do it yourself

Frequently asked questions

Do data broker removal services actually work?

A completed opt-out can remove or suppress a broker listing, but results and processing times vary. A listing can return if the broker later ingests fresh source data, and there is no universal re-listing window. Periodic monitoring can identify when another supported removal request is needed.

Can you completely delete all your personal information from the internet?

Not entirely. Some records, such as property deeds, court filings, and business registrations, are public by law and can't be erased. What you can remove is the commercial layer: the people-search and data-broker listings that package your address, phone, age, and relatives for anyone to buy. That's the bulk of your exposure and the part removal actually reaches.

Is there a free way to remove my information from data brokers?

Yes. Every major broker is legally required to offer a free opt-out, and you can file them yourself. The catch is volume and recurrence: brokers each have their own process, and they re-list you over time. Free works if you have the hours and the patience to repeat it; a service exists to handle the volume.

How do I get my phone number off data broker lists?

Opt out at each broker that lists it. The same removal that covers your address and name also pulls the phone number on that record. Because brokers re-aggregate from telecom and public-record feeds, numbers tend to reappear, so a single pass rarely holds. Removing the underlying listing is more effective than chasing the number alone.

Why do data brokers have my information in the first place?

They buy and scrape it, from public records (voter rolls, property, court files), commercial sources (loyalty programs, warranties, app data), and other brokers. You never opted in; aggregation is legal in most of the US. That's why the burden of removal falls on you, and why opting out is a right worth exercising.

Start with the scan either way

The free scan shows you which brokers have your information, and what AI assistants say about you. That list is the starting point for whichever path you take.