Redditors ask, Cybernews answers: Can you really delete yourself from the internet?
The internet remembers everything, and it is better to think twice before hitting “publish.” But are you doomed if you have already overshared? Is it possible to reduce your digital footprint? Every week, our team selects one pressing and common reader issue and deconstructs it to help you stay safe online.
You’ve probably heard that the internet never forgets, and unfortunately, that’s mostly true. Every post, sign-up, click, and like leaves behind a trail, or in other words, your digital footprint.
“If you were becoming famous, what would be your first steps to clearing your digital footprint?” one Redditor asked.
And the answers are harsh. “Not become famous,” “a whole new name and persona,” or “you can't, the internet remembers everything” dominated the thread.
Unfortunately, these Redditors are mostly correct. Wiping your data from the internet entirely is nearly impossible. Once information has been shared and indexed, some traces are likely to remain.
However, you can still drastically reduce what’s publicly available and limit how much data is collected about you going forward.Cybernews breaks down what you can actually do to delete yourself from the internet and regain some control over your digital life.
How to delete a digital footprint?
“Whether a person is a public figure or not, there is no way to completely wipe out the digital footprint that is already present,” commented the Cybernews research team.
But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. As the Cybernews team points out, there is a way to significantly reduce the amount of your personal data online.
You can choose professional data removal services that specialize in clearing personal information from data brokers, search engines, and public records.
“There is always an option to manually delete old or unused accounts, tweak social media profiles, and adjust privacy settings to limit the exposure of personal details,”
the team notes.
For public figures or people with a strong online presence, the approach often goes a step further.
As Cybernews explains, public figures may employ reputation management tactics, such as using SEO techniques to push down unwanted content or collaborating with PR teams, which makes negative or outdated information harder to find by flooding search results with newer, more controlled content.
If you are not a rockstar with a six-digit budget for PR, here is a step-by-step guide on what you can do to reduce your digital footprint. While it won’t erase your past entirely, it can significantly shrink what’s visible today.
Start by Googling yourself
Start by searching yourself as an attacker would. You can simply Google yourself. Type in the different browsers your full name, email addresses, and phone numbers. Check the first several pages, not just the top results.
If you discover sensitive personal data, outdated or incorrect information, photos, or posts that you no longer want to be public, contact the website owner or administrator and request their removal. Many sites will have to comply.
Also, make a list of every account you’ve ever created. It includes social media, forums, shopping sites, and old apps. Before deleting your accounts, read the privacy policies provided by the companies to understand what profile deletion entails and the associated terms.
It is a good idea to create Google alerts that help you monitor new mentions of your name. These alerts will notify you whenever your information gets indexed online.
Delete your name from data brokers’ databases
Another important step is deleting yourself from data brokers' databases. One of the biggest chunks of your public digital footprint will be on people search and data broker sites.
These include platforms like Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, and dozens of others that collect and resell personal data.
You can manually opt out of each site. While it is slow, it is also free. Another option is using a data removal service like Incogni, which automates requests across multiple brokers.
You can also use Google’s tools to request the removal of personal info from search results. Also, delete or pause your Google Search and location history via My Activity.
Removing yourself from Google and data brokers alone can dramatically reduce what strangers can learn about you in seconds.
Protect your future privacy
Deleting old data only works if you stop oversharing new data, so being careful with social media is key. Always think twice before posting.
Do not share family details, locations, and your routines that could help to track you down. Also, remember that the content you share publicly (or even within your online friends circle) could be re-shared without your permission, and it's hard to control it later on.
Also, be cautious with quizzes and “fun surveys,” as they often collect personal information. So do forms from ads.
Think before linking accounts. Signing up for different platforms using Google or Facebook is convenient and requires just one click. However, it comes with a price, as companies can get access to your data and track your activity across platforms.
Apps that you install on your smart devices are sucking out a lot of data, so revision is crucial.
- Adjust device and app permissions
- Turn off unnecessary location services
- Limit ad tracking
- Revoke permissions for apps you don’t trust
While signing up on digital platforms, limit the data you share. Use burner information. You can use services offering temporary numbers and emails.
It is essential to always use privacy tools. Set up a trustworthy VPN to conceal your IP address. Internet browsers collect a significant amount of your data, so it is advisable to choose browsers that prioritize privacy. Brave or Firefox could be among the potential options.
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