Data brokers are selling your life. Here’s how to stop them.
The data broker industry is worth almost $400 billion. Whether it’s your Google Search history, movies you’ve streamed or a summary of your last doctor’s visit, they’re keeping tabs on your life.
Feel violated? You should. These brokers even sell your data to scammers so they can use it to target you. No wonder most people get overloaded with spam texts and calls every day.
You could spend the rest of your life trying to remove your data, but I found the best way to handle that for me. More on that below.
What data is collected?
It’s way beyond where you live and what you do. They track:
- 🏡 Personal data: Your name, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses are all up for grabs.
- 💲 Financial data: Think credit scores, purchase histories and your mortgage details.
- ❤️🩹 Health data: This can include your prescription records and even health conditions.
- 💻 Behavioral data: This covers your browsing history, social media activity and app usage.
- 📍 Location data: Your GPS coordinates and frequently visited places are no secret.
- 🏢 Employment data: Your current and former job titles, salary levels and employment history are all collected, too.
They compile this info into an incredibly detailed profile about you. It’s like they know your wants and needs before you do. Some of the info comes from data breaches and leaks. There’s been no shortage of those.
2024 (dis)honorable mentions
- A database of over 180 million emails went up for sale on the Dark Web.
- A hack leaked 170 million people’s info, including Social Security numbers.
- A breach at Cisco exposed customers of major banks and phone companies like AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon, Barclays and Bank of America.
Why are breaches so dangerous?
It’s all about the ripple effect. We’re talking:
- Identity theft: Criminals buy sensitive info to commit fraud.
- Stalking and harassment: Access to your addresses and phone numbers makes it simple for them to get to you.
- Financial loss: Data brokers make credit card fraud and phishing scams so much easier.
- Invasion of privacy: You lose control over how your data is used or who accesses it.
It’s a matter of when your info gets leaked, not if — unless you take action, like I did.
Here’s your best solution
I started using Incogni before they became a sponsor, back when I couldn’t scrub all my personal info off the web by myself. Here’s how they’ve helped me:
- Automated data removal: After I set up an account, Incogni got to work, contacting data brokers to ask them to remove my info. Over 600 sites and companies no longer have my personal data.
- Continuous monitoring: Incogni keeps my data out of these databases over time so these creeps can’t just add me back.
- Timesaving: I wasted over 40 hours trying to opt out of everything, and most of my requests were ignored. Incogni keeps going until it’s done.
They can help remove your data from hundreds of data brokers, too. I’m proud to say I have no more spam phone calls or texts annoying me.
✅ Don’t let data brokers make a fortune off your personal information. Take back control of your privacy with Incogni. Use my link for an exclusive offer: 60% off. Incogni also comes with a money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.
Tags: cybersecurity, data brokers, incogni, people-search sites, personal data, privacy
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