Privacy Cleanup

Your full name, address, phone number, relatives, and more are likely available on dozens of data broker websites right now. This skill provides the opt-out procedure for each major data broker -- the same process that privacy services charge $100+/year to do. Data brokers listed are US-focused but the prevention steps work globally.

- User wants to remove personal information from the internet - Concerned about stalking or harassment - Getting too many spam calls/emails - Wants to reduce their digital footprint - Privacy-conscious and wants to opt out of data collection

### Step 1: Find what's out there Search for yourself: ``` SELF-SEARCH CHECKLIST: □ Google your full name in quotes: "First Last" □ Google your name + city: "First Last" + "City, State" □ Google your phone number □ Google your email address □ Check these sites directly: → Spokeo.com → WhitePages.com → BeenVerified.com → Intelius.com → PeopleFinder.com → TruePeopleSearch.com → FastPeopleSearch.com → Radaris.com ``` ### Step 2: Opt out from major data brokers ``` OPT-OUT PROCEDURES (do each one): SPOKEO: → spokeo.com/optout → Find your listing, enter email, click removal link WHITEPAGES: → whitepages.com/suppression-requests → Find listing, verify by phone, confirm removal BEEN VERIFIED: → beenverified.com/faq/opt-out → Submit opt-out request with your URL INTELIUS: → intelius.com/opt-out → Search for yourself, submit removal request TRUE PEOPLE SEARCH: → truepeoplesearch.com/removal → Find your record, click remove FAST PEOPLE SEARCH: → fastpeoplesearch.com/removal → Find listing, click "Remove This Record" RADARIS: → radaris.com/control/privacy → Create account to remove your data FAMILY TREE NOW: → familytreenow.com/optout → Find listing, confirm opt-out ``` Note: Removals take 24-72 hours. Some sites repopulate from public records — check back in 3 months and re-opt-out if needed. ### Step 3: Reduce future data collection ``` ONGOING PRIVACY STEPS: □ Use a PO Box or virtual mailbox for public-facing addresses □ Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number □ Use email aliases (Apple Hide My Email, SimpleLogin) □ Set all social media profiles to private □ Opt out of pre-approved credit offers: → optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688 □ National Do Not Call Registry: donotcall.gov □ Direct Marketing Association opt-out: dmachoice.org □ Use a privacy-focused browser (Firefox, Brave) □ Install uBlock Origin extension for ad/tracker blocking ```

- This is a slow process — set expectations that it takes 2-4 weeks for full removal - Some sites require verification (phone, email) which can feel sketchy — it's legitimate for major brokers - Re-check every 3-6 months because data brokers repopulate - For someone being stalked, prioritize the sites that show addresses first

- Data brokers pull from voter registration, property records, and court records — these are the hardest sources to control - If you're in immediate danger (stalking situation), contact local police and the Stalking Prevention Center: sparc.stalkingawareness.org - Getting a Google Voice number takes 5 minutes and gives you a separate number to use everywhere - The paid service DeleteMe ($129/yr) does all of the above automatically if someone doesn't want to do it manually