Privacy Cleanup

Your full name, address, phone number, relatives, and more are likely available on dozens of data broker websites right now. This skill provides the opt-out procedure for each major data broker — the same process that privacy services charge $100+/year to do. Data brokers listed are US-focused but the prevention steps work globally.

# Localization note — data broker landscape is US-centric but privacy rights
# vary by jurisdiction and may be stronger in other countries.
# Agent must follow these rules when working with non-US users:
- The opt-out procedures for US data brokers (Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified,
  etc.) are relevant globally — these sites often contain non-US residents' data.
  Apply them regardless of user location.
- For non-US users, add jurisdiction-specific privacy rights:
  EU/EEA: GDPR "right to erasure" (Article 17) — users can demand removal
    from any data processor. Template: "I request erasure of my personal data
    under GDPR Article 17." File complaints at your national DPA.
  UK: UK GDPR (same right to erasure, post-Brexit). ICO at ico.org.uk
  Canada: PIPEDA right to correction/erasure. File with OPC at priv.gc.ca
  Australia: Privacy Act right to access and correction. OAIC at oaic.gov.au
- Credit freeze procedures are US-specific (Equifax/Experian/TransUnion US).
  For UK: credit reference agencies are Experian UK, Equifax UK, TransUnion UK.
  For AU: Equifax AU, Experian AU, illion.
  For CA: Equifax CA, TransUnion CA.
- FTC/IC3 reporting is US-only. Substitute: Action Fraud (UK), ACCC Scamwatch (AU),
  Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CA).

Sources & Verification

• Data broker opt-out procedures: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, "Data Brokers" resource list (privacyrights.org)
• National Do Not Call Registry: FTC (donotcall.gov)
• OptOutPrescreen (credit offer opt-out): optoutprescreen.com — verified active as of March 2026
• DMA Choice (Direct Marketing Association): dmachoice.org
• Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center: sparc.stalkingawareness.org
• NNEDV Technology Safety resources: techsafety.org
• DeleteMe service reference: joindeleteme.com

When to Use

• User wants to remove personal information from the internet
• Concerned about stalking or harassment
• Getting too many spam calls/emails
• Wants to reduce their digital footprint
• Privacy-conscious and wants to opt out of data collection

Instructions

SAFETY CHECK — Stalking and Harassment Assessment

STOP. Before proceeding, the agent MUST ask:

> "Are you removing your information because someone specific is searching for you or threatening you?"

• If YES (stalking/harassment situation): Prioritize address-revealing sites first (TruePeopleSearch, FastPeopleSearch, Spokeo, WhitePages). Also recommend contacting: Stalking Prevention Center at sparc.stalkingawareness.org and local police to file a report.
• If domestic violence related: Redirect to safe-exit-planner skill for comprehensive safety planning.
• If general privacy concern: Proceed to Step 1.

Agent action: If this is a safety situation, do not store the user's real name or address in any logs or files. Process removals in urgency order.

Step 1: Find what's out there

Search for yourself:

SELF-SEARCH CHECKLIST:

□ Google your full name in quotes: "First Last"
□ Google your name + city: "First Last" + "City, State"
□ Google your phone number
□ Google your email address
□ Check these sites directly:
  → Spokeo.com
  → WhitePages.com
  → BeenVerified.com
  → Intelius.com
  → PeopleFinder.com
  → TruePeopleSearch.com
  → FastPeopleSearch.com
  → Radaris.com

Step 2: Opt out from major data brokers

OPT-OUT PROCEDURES (do each one):

SPOKEO:
→ spokeo.com/optout
→ Find your listing, enter email, click removal link

WHITEPAGES:
→ whitepages.com/suppression-requests
→ Find listing, verify by phone, confirm removal

BEEN VERIFIED:
→ beenverified.com/faq/opt-out
→ Submit opt-out request with your URL

INTELIUS:
→ intelius.com/opt-out
→ Search for yourself, submit removal request

TRUE PEOPLE SEARCH:
→ truepeoplesearch.com/removal
→ Find your record, click remove

FAST PEOPLE SEARCH:
→ fastpeoplesearch.com/removal
→ Find listing, click "Remove This Record"

RADARIS:
→ radaris.com/control/privacy
→ Create account to remove your data

FAMILY TREE NOW:
→ familytreenow.com/optout
→ Find listing, confirm opt-out

Note: Removals take 24-72 hours. Some sites repopulate from public records — check back in 3 months and re-opt-out if needed.

Step 3: Reduce future data collection

ONGOING PRIVACY STEPS:

□ Use a PO Box or virtual mailbox for public-facing addresses
□ Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number
□ Use email aliases (Apple Hide My Email, SimpleLogin)
□ Set all social media profiles to private
□ Opt out of pre-approved credit offers:
  → optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688
□ National Do Not Call Registry: donotcall.gov
□ Direct Marketing Association opt-out: dmachoice.org
□ Use a privacy-focused browser (Firefox, Brave)
□ Install uBlock Origin extension for ad/tracker blocking

If This Fails

If your information keeps reappearing or you cannot complete removal:

1. Site won't process removal? File a complaint with your state attorney general's office. Some states (California, Vermont, Oregon) have data broker registration laws that give you additional rights.
2. Information reappears after removal? Data brokers pull from public records (voter registration, property records). Consider: using a PO Box for voter registration (allowed in some states for safety reasons), filing property under an LLC or trust, and opting out of public court record indexes.
3. Being actively stalked? Contact the Stalking Prevention Center (sparc.stalkingawareness.org), file a police report, and consult with a lawyer about a protective order. Address confidentiality programs exist in most states for DV/stalking survivors.
4. Too many sites to handle manually? Consider a paid service like DeleteMe ($129/yr) that automates ongoing removal from 750+ data brokers.

Rules

• This is a slow process — set expectations that it takes 2-4 weeks for full removal
• Some sites require verification (phone, email) which can feel sketchy — it's legitimate for major brokers
• Re-check every 3-6 months because data brokers repopulate
• For someone being stalked, prioritize the sites that show addresses first

Tips

• Data brokers pull from voter registration, property records, and court records — these are the hardest sources to control
• If you're in immediate danger (stalking situation), contact local police and the Stalking Prevention Center: sparc.stalkingawareness.org
• Getting a Google Voice number takes 5 minutes and gives you a separate number to use everywhere
• The paid service DeleteMe ($129/yr) does all of the above automatically if someone doesn't want to do it manually