How To Delete Yourself (Off The Internet)

Privacy is not an option, and it shouldn’t be the price we accept for just getting on the Internet. — Gary Kovacs

This is a guide on how to erase your digital footprint so that you become un-googleable. First, we must ask why this is important.

Every human who uses the internet has a right to privacy. However, we live in a capitalistic society where profits and money are prioritized over human rights. For the most part, we cannot trust corporations to have our best interests in mind. Additionally, we cannot trust every one in this world to be a good faith actor. If our information is freely out there for anyone to search and dig up, this leaves people vulnerable.

Data Brokers and Why They Exist

Data brokers are companies that collect and sell profiles of your personal information, usually without you ever dealing with them directly. Companies like Spokeo, TruePeopleSearch, and Whitepages often have years of information on you. Thankfully, you can opt out of these on their websites, though it may take 24-48 hours to remove your information and for search engines to stop indexing.

If someone knows at least one thing about you, be it a name or phone number, they can easily find out the rest about you on these websites. These websites will also show people who are closely related to you, usually immediate family members.

Opt Out Links: WhitePages Opt Out TruePeopleSearch Opt Out UnMask Opt Out Spokeo Opt Out

Social Media Websites

Social media is another way that bad faith actors, not just data brokers, can track you. A lot of people often use their legal names on sites like Instagram and Facebook. A lot of people also reuse the same username across websites, making it easy to track their digital footprint. Social media can be a great resource for bad faith actors because people more often than not use their full names, put their location in their bio, geotag posts, and don’t always keep their profiles private, which makes it easy to find people who are associated or close friends with said person.

Email Breach Websites

Websites like HaveIBeenPwned and Databreach.com can be used to track you by bad faith actors if they know your email(s). People can use these websites to find out what other accounts you might have.

HaveIBeenPwned Opt Out Databreach Opt Out

Public Records

Other ways that people can track you is through public records. If you’ve ever been involved in a lawsuit, chances are anyone can find it on Google search or through the court’s website if they know your name and location. Obituaries for deceased family members can also show your name, along with who you’re related to and what town or region you live in.