In our ever expanding digitally world, the flow of information is relentless and often invisible to the average person. A growing player in this invisible information economy is the data broker. Data brokers are companies that collect, analyse and aggregate personal information into detailed profiles which are then sold to other businesses for marketing, research, or risk management purposes.
Data brokers collect personal data about individuals from a variety of public and private sources. These sources include social media profiles, online shopping behaviour, public records, and even loyalty card programs.
When you interact with websites, data brokers are there collecting fragments of information about you. They aggregate and organise this data to create comprehensive profiles that can include your interests, purchase habits, demographics, and even personal preferences. This information is invaluable to businesses and advertisers who want to target specific audiences with precision.
Should you be worried? The answer largely depends on your perspective on privacy and how comfortable you are with your information being used without your direct consent.
- Privacy Concerns: For many, the lack of transparency around data brokers’ practices is a concern. The idea that a company can gather detailed information about your life without your explicit permission can feel intrusive and unsettling. Moreover, the risk of this data being used maliciously or falling into the wrong hands is a valid worry.
- Targeted Advertising: On the flip side, some argue that targeted advertising, one of the primary uses of data broker information, can enhance the consumer experience by showing more relevant advertisements and offers.
- Data Security: As you know data breaches are a constant threat. When your personal information is aggregated and sold, it increases the number of entities that have access to your data, potentially heightening the risk of exposure in the event of a breach.
The average person needs to be informed and cautious in how they share their personal information online. In the end, the relationship between individuals and data brokers is complex and there are benefits as well as risks. Staying informed and vigilant is key to navigating this digital landscape.
What can you do to safeguard your personal information from Data Brokers?
Protect your personal information:
- Opt-Out: Many data brokers offer opt-out options on their websites. Incogni has a blog post with guides to removing your personal information from about 85 Data Brokers – https://blog.incogni.com/opt-out-guides/
- Use Privacy Tools: Tools like VPN, ad blockers, and privacy-focused browsers (eg InPrivate and Incognito browsing) can help minimise the amount of data collected about you. Some examples Firefox and DuckDuckGo are just two web browsers (of many) now offering privacy built-in by design.
- Regularly Monitor Your Data: Use services that monitor your personal information on the internet and alert you to any changes or breaches. You can think of these as Data Brokers which work on “your” behalf to remove your data from other data brokers.
- Be Cautious with Personal Information: Limit the amount of personal information you share online, especially on social media and other public platforms like LinkedIn and FaceBook.
Companies that can help remove personal information:
Please note: Below is a sample list of companies offering personal data removal services – the list carries no endorsement for the company nor their services. The College does not receive any benefit from including the company names in the list. There are many personal data removal companies available via an Internet search and you should do your own research before engaging with any online service.
- Incogni: https://incogni.com/2much (60% discount for the first year).
- Known for its wide range of data broker removal services.
- DeleteMe: https://joindeleteme.com
- A popular choice that covers a large number of data broker sites.
- Optery: https://www.optery.com
- Provides detailed verification of data removals and offers custom removals.
- Privacy Bee: https://privacybee.com
- Focuses on robust digital footprint cleanup and ensures your data remains off data broker sites.
- Aura: https://www.aura.com
- Offers identity theft protection services along with data removal, making it a great option for comprehensive privacy protection.
Data Removal companies can help you take back control of your personal information and protect your privacy. But it’s important to choose a service that fits your needs and budget.
We hope this blog post has helped raise your awareness of Data Brokers, so that you can continue to enjoy a safe online presence. 🙂