How to remove my information from the internet

The troubling cybercrime statistics of recent years reveal severe online privacy issues. The FBI Internet Crime Report 2023 shows a nearly 10% increase in cybercrime complaints and a 22% increase in losses compared to the prior year, totaling above $12.5 billion.

Investment fraud was the most financially devastating, with business email compromise and tech support scams following. What these methods have in common is the reliance on personal information. Cybercriminals use this data to make scams more convincing.

As a risk reduction strategy, it's best to limit the information you share online and remove as much personal information as possible from the internet. Of course, that’s much easier said than done, because data brokers, websites, and mobile apps collect user data as a key part of their business model. In this article, I'll elaborate on how to remove your information from the internet manually or using dedicated privacy protection software.

Here’s a very brief overview of the top methods before we dig into the details.

• Remove info from Google
• Opt out of data brokers
• Contact website owners
• Clean up social media
• Secure online accounts
• Delete unused accounts/apps
• Adjust browser settings
• Limit phone data collection
• Check public records
• Use dedicated privacy software like Incogni

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How to remove personal information from the internet

Removing personal information from the internet is a multi-step process. If you're an active internet user, you can never be completely anonymous online – but you can significantly reduce the exposure of your personal information. Here's where to begin.

1. Remove your information from Google

Google owns the most popular web browser and search engine, so it has access to extensive personal information. It has even collected user data over its supposedly private Incognito mode.

You can push back against this continuous surveillance! You can start by removing your information from the Google search engine. First, search for your first name, surname, and other personal information, such as a phone number. Take screenshots and a website URL from which you want this information removed. Then, go to Google's information removal tool.

Scroll down to the Start Removal Request button, where you will have to complete a form, as seen in the image below.

After clicking Next, you will encounter more forms to fill out, which may takes around 15-20 minutes. Google will ask you questions like what kind of information you want removed, the URL of the website, and a screenshot, depending on your demands. Then, Google staff members will consider the request, and you can double-check whether they took the information down.

Similarly, you must fill out a Google image removal form to remove unwanted pictures from the platform. You can also blur your house or license plate images if they appear on Google Maps. Search your address on the platform, open the street view, and point to your residence. On the upper left, click the three vertical dots, select Report a problem, and fill in the following form.

2. Remove data from data brokers

Data brokers like Whitepages or CheckPeople collect and sell personal information as a business model. While collecting and selling data for targeted advertising is legal, some data brokers sell such information irresponsibly. Malicious actors can use it for identity theft or credit card fraud.

Here's what you can do:

1. Identify which data brokers have your information by searching their directories or using dedicated software like Incogni. You can check the PrivacyRights data brokers list to see which ones allow opting out of their list.
2. Contact data brokers requesting to remove your personal information from their lists.
3. Even after removing your data, some data brokers will recollect it in the future. Repeat the removal request periodically to ensure it does not reappear online.

This process is time-consuming, and repeating requests is a nuisance. Instead, you can use a service like Incogni to automate data removal requests.

1. Visit the Incogni website and sign up for its services.
2. Input required details like your email address, phone number, etc.
3. Allow Incogni to act on your behalf regarding data removal.

The app will then scan the internet for personal information and automatically request the deletion of your online data.

3. Contact website owners directly

Even if you remove personal information from the Google search engine and data brokers, you may still find it on websites. This time, you have to contact website owners directly.

1. Go to the website's Contact Us section and submit a request to remove personal information from the website. Provide a URL where this information is published.
2. Alternatively, if the first step did not lead you to a contact option, look for an email address to make contact.
3. Try searching for the website owners on social media if you cannot find any contact information.

4. Clear up social media accounts and make them private

Over five billion people use social media worldwide, so it's safe to say it is an enormous personal data repository. If you're wondering how to remove your information from the internet in a meaningful way, consider reducing what you share over social media.

It's understandable that social networks are immersive and can contribute to an enriched social life. But, as Cambridge Analytica data gathering violations proved, social networks also introduce severe online privacy issues. Here are a few things you can do to hide personal information online.

• Remove personal data. If you want to protect your privacy while using a social network, consider removing your address, telephone number, email, and other personal information from your profile.
• Make your profile private. If you have set your Facebook account to be public, anyone can see your pictures, posts, and all other information. Change the settings so personal details are only visible to your friends, or restrict visibility to yourself.

• Turn off personalized ads. Social networks collect your online activities and behavioral patterns to personalize ads and share them with third-party marketing agencies, making it much harder to control your data.
• Delete unused social media accounts. These accounts hold a lot of private details, which can end up in the wrong hands if left unattended. Instruct social media platforms to permanently remove your data from their servers whenever possible.

5. Secure online accounts

Having no online accounts is only possible if you isolate yourself entirely from digital life. But each online account adds bits of data about you, so taking care of their security is paramount. Here's how to do it:

• Use strong passwords. A password is your first line of defense against unauthorized access. Do not use easy-to-guess passwords or include any personal details in one. Simultaneously, do not reuse the same password for multiple accounts, and include symbols and numbers to prevent brute-force hacks.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA ensures that your accounts remain safe even if cybercriminals obtain your password. Once turned on, it will force a secondary verification step via email code, SMS message, authenticator app, or biometrics.
• Keep data to a minimum. When creating a profile, enter only the minimum required. This way, even in case of a data breach, you will minimize personal information leaks.

6. Delete unused accounts, apps, and emails

Just like unused social media accounts, other online accounts and applications store personal details. Many users also do not update unused applications, which poses a security issue and increases the likelihood of being targeted by hackers.

I recommend deleting all leftover accounts and apps, but how do I know how many there are? Firstly, go to Have I been pwned? website. This tool uses your email to scan for data, including the dark net.

You get a list of all breached accounts and compromised data, like name, password, email address, etc. Changing your password or deleting the account should be your top priority, as malicious actors likely have obtained access. It is essential for unused emails, as they can be used to access other accounts, further expanding the risk perimeter.

Next, review your email and look for messages from services you no longer use. It can be promotional emails, inactivity reminders, or old sign-up forms. Log in to these accounts and delete or deactivate them.

The same applies to computer software and mobile applications. There's no need to have any you don't use. They take up your finite storage space, and some apps continue tracking your activities even if you no longer use them.

7. Change browser privacy settings

Browsers hold a huge amount of personal information, like passwords, browsing and download history, cached files, and cookies. That's why browser vulnerabilities are particularly risky, as they can reveal the most sensitive information that may be usable for damaging scams.

Simultaneously, most websites use cookies to identify a user, and some share cookies with third parties to form a consumer profile for ad targeting. Although cookies do not typically include personally identifiable data (name, address, etc.), they can include clicked backlinks and device settings, revealing online activities. Enhancing browser privacy settings is essential for online identity protection.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Block third-party cookies. This option prevents third-party websites from placing cookies on your device. Without your explicit consent, social networks like Facebook or X can place a cookie on your device whenever you visit a website with embedded content. These cookies are then usable for tracking, but you can block them in browser privacy settings.

• Enable a Do Not Track request. Turn on the Do Not Track request option in the same browser privacy settings. This will inform websites that you do not wish to be tracked, but their compliance depends solely on their policies.
• Block pop-ups and redirects. Phishing scams often use infectious pop-ups and redirects to trick users into downloading malware or exposing personal information. Change the browser settings to turn off pop-ups and redirects.
• Clear browsing history. Deleting browsing history prevents advertisers and third parties from inspecting your online activities.
• Delete unused extensions. As comfortable as browser extensions are, many require extensive access to your information. It is prevalent among shopping and writing assistants, so delete them to limit unnecessary information sharing.

8. Limit data collection on your phone

Because smartphones are usually with you, they have access to specific information, like location details. Mobile apps are also known for gathering data whenever you grant them permission. It would be best to change these two settings to remove personal information from the internet.

Although the exact steps depend on your Android model, most follow similar logic. Go to your Settings menu and look for the "Privacy" or "Security and Privacy" section. Once there, adjust the location, camera, microphone, and other relevant permissions settings.

If you are an iOS user, you should also go to settings and find the "Privacy & Security" option. There, you should overview app permissions in privacy-related categories and restrict permissions for anything you don't feel like sharing. Afterward, you should turn off the app privacy report in the same settings area.

Be particularly mindful when downloading apps from Google Play and Apple App Store. Occasionally, malicious apps or spyware can slip through disguised as legitimate applications. Before installing them on your device, read through user reviews and inspect the permissions they request.

9. Ensure public record privacy

Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, and credit card number are among the most sensitive personal information. If they fall into the wrong hands, they can be used for identity theft, credit card fraud, and personalized phishing scams. This information also sometimes appears in publicly accessible records.

Although you cannot delete all personal information from public records, you can make a request and at least limit some of it. US states have different data privacy laws, so I recommend researching your local ones to know the exact data removal procedures.

If you cannot find this information, visit the court clerk's office or the local courthouse and ask for assistance. It might help if you bring a screenshot or other proof of personal data exposure to prove that it poses a privacy risk.

10. Use privacy protection software

Even if you meticulously follow the steps above to remove personal data from the internet, bits of it will slip through if you don't use additional software. Here are a few recommendations to strengthen online privacy and protect digital identity from undesired attention.

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is a privacy-protection-oriented cybersecurity software. It encrypts online data flow and reroutes it from the internet service provider (ISP) to its secure server. It is especially useful for US citizens, where ISPs can legally gather and sell user data without their consent.
• Consider an alternative search engine. Google is no stranger to collecting vast amounts of user data through its search engine. Instead, try anti-tracking search engines, like Surfshark Search or the DuckDuckGo. Unlike Google, these search engines do not collect search history and user IP addresses.
• Consider a privacy-oriented browser. Similarly, using Google's popular Chrome browser is not the best choice for removing personal information online. I recommend reviewing our list of digital privacy browsers with stricter and more privacy-friendly data-gathering policies.

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What kind of personal information ends up on the internet, and how does it get there?

The most significant amount of personal information online is shared willingly by users over social media. The data set is extensive and includes the following:

• Profile information. Name, surname, birth date, workplace, relationship status, etc.
• Location data. Birthplace, current residence, check-ins, and location tags are also included.
• Posts and comments. Everything from texts to pictures, to videos and group information.

The information is highly revealing, thus demanding serious attention to your social network account safety.

This information is also often sold on the dark net. Most major platforms – such as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Yahoo – have all experienced major data leaks, unintentionally transferring user data to cybercriminals.

However, a portion of personal data appears online without user consent. This includes information gathered via browser cookies, harvested by apps, extorted via phishing scams or spyware, and collected from data breaches.

That's why limiting personal information online is highly advisable. Even if you secure your accounts with a strong password and two-factor authentication, this data is out of your hands if cyber criminals manage to hack the whole social network. It is just as important to request the removal of data from servers when deleting your accounts.

How to protect your privacy online

The best way to protect your privacy online is to use dedicated cybersecurity software. As you'll soon notice, no one magic solution will defend your digital identity with one app. Instead, it's a combination of a few apps that overwatch a segment of your virtual life.

Here are four essential apps for online safety.

• Identity theft protection. A reliable identity theft protection service scans the web for data leaks, issues real-time alerts, and even offers insurance in case of identity fraud. It monitors SSNs, ID numbers, credit card numbers, email addresses, names, license plate numbers, and other personally identifiable information leaks.
• Password manager. Without a high-quality password manager, it's impossible to protect dozens of online accounts with a secure and complex password. This app lets you store hundreds of long and unique passwords in a single encrypted vault protected by a single master password.
• VPN. The best VPN services use sophisticated encryption algorithms to scramble your data into unreadable form, protecting it from surveillance. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server, and your online activities become invisible to ISPs, data mining agencies, or cybercriminals over public Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Antivirus software. One of the oldest cybersecurity types of cybersecurity software is the antivirus. An updated, continuously running antivirus program will safeguard you from malicious programs and prevent them before infecting your device. If your device has already been infected with a virus, an antivirus will scan your hard drive, identify the threat, and remove it for good.

Is it possible to delete your information from the internet?

Yes, it is certainly possible to remove your personal information from the internet, but it requires a lot of continuous effort. Active internet users expose many private details over the years, supplemented by information gathered by data mining agencies and obtained from data leaks. Identifying and closing down your accounts can take hours or days.

As expected, privacy proponents and software developers came up with a solution. You can use apps like Incogni to automatically remove personal information from the internet. It will scan the internet to locate personal information on data brokers' sites and send the removal request on your behalf.

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