The internet has undoubtedly made our lives much more convenient and connected. However, with that convenience comes the risk of our information being available online for anyone to access. The thought of our sensitive information being out there for the world to see can be quite unsettling. But is it possible to disappear online? The answer is yes, and it’s easier than you might think.
Do your research
First and foremost, you should start by searching for your name on various search engines to see what information is available about you online. This will give you an idea of where your personal data is located.
You may be surprised that your data is available on various websites you’ve never even heard of before. You should also contact any websites that have your details and request that they be removed. This includes websites with your contact information, employment history, address, etc. Some websites may have a form that you can fill out to request the removal of your information, while others may require you to email them directly. It’s especially easy to opt out of Nuwber and BeenVerified, people search websites that have the “Remove My Info” option.
Create a list of accounts and websites to review
Creating a list of websites and apps to visit is an important step in your journey to disappearing online. This list should include all the websites you have visited, social media profiles, online shopping accounts, and any other accounts you can think of. Begin by conducting an online search of your name and going through the results, noting down all the websites that mention you.
Make sure to pay special attention to social media platforms. These platforms tend to hold a lot of personal data about their users, and it is important to review and delete any information you do not want to be made public.
If you use password-saving services such as LastPass or Google, visit their respective websites and check where you made your accounts.
Once you have created a comprehensive list, start reviewing each website and account one by one. Go through each website and account and determine how many details are available. Check to see if you can delete your account or request that your personal information be removed.
This process can be time-consuming, but it is necessary to be thorough in order to ensure that you have removed as much sensitive data as possible.
Delete your social media accounts
Social media has become an integral part of our lives, but it comes with its own set of privacy concerns. If you want to disappear online, deleting your social media accounts is a good place to start.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms collect a vast amount of personal details about you, especially when you agree to personalized ads. The good news is that most social media platforms allow you to delete accounts easily.
Before you delete yours, make sure you download your data so you have a copy of your posts, photos, and videos. This will be a local backup, so you don’t need to worry about it being used by services or websites. You can do this by going to your account settings and looking for the option to download your data.
Some platforms may require you to go through a series of steps before deleting your account. For example, Facebook requires to provide a reason for deleting a page and may prompt you to deactivate it instead.
It’s also worth noting that deleting your social media accounts won’t necessarily remove all data about you from the internet. Your posts and comments may still be visible on other people’s profiles, and search engines may have cached versions of your profile and posts. However, deleting your pages is an important step in taking control of your online privacy and minimizing your digital footprint.
Remove your personal information from public records
Public records are an essential resource for many organizations, including law enforcement, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and businesses. However, they can also be a source of personal information that can be used to commit identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. Removing it from them can be a daunting task, but it is essential if you want to protect your privacy and security online.
The first step is to identify the types of records that contain your data. Public records include court records, property records, voter registration records, and more. Once you have all of them that contain your information, you can begin the process of removing it.
Contact record management agencies
One way to get your data removed is to contact the agency that maintains the record and request that it be removed. Many agencies have formal procedures for removing personal details from their database, and they may require you to provide documentation to prove your identity and ownership of the record.
Use online services
Another option is to use an online service that specializes in removing information. These services can help you identify the records that contain your data and submit removal requests on your behalf. They may charge you quite a bit, and the final result might not be 100% to your liking, but you will be in a far better position than when you started.
In some cases, it may not be possible to remove all information from public records entirely. However, you can take steps to minimize the amount of it that is available to the public. For example, you can request that your address and phone number be removed from voter registration records or use a post office box instead of your home address on property records.
It may be a time-consuming process, but it is well worth the effort to ensure that your sensitive information is not being used for nefarious purposes.
Conclusion
Privacy is a crucial concern in today’s digital age, and it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself. By following the step-by-step guide we provided, you can take control of your online presence and ensure that your personal details do not fall into the wrong hands. Remember that this is an ongoing process, and staying vigilant about your online privacy is crucial.