Your Private Data Is All Over the Internet. Here’s What You Can Do About It

Being online, the right to privacy and what we want businesses to know about us is increasingly blurred. It’s not particularly easy to know what data businesses have on us and what they are doing with it. The ability to control your data is deliberately made harder than it should be but if you want to gain better control of your personal information, there are plenty
of steps you can take.

Below you will find a list of different ways you can take down, remove or simply hide your data from interested parties and regain some control over your personal data. From deleting old accounts to making use of online data tools, keep your data private and learn how to protect your data online.

1. Audit Your Online Presence

The first step is finding how much of your data is out there. Start by searching your name on popular search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Note down where your information appears, including social media profiles, old blog posts, and public records. You are mainly looking to track down data brokers that collect and sell personal information. Use websites
like Spokeo, Whitepages, and MyLife to see if they have your data. You can often use these sites to submit takedown requests as well, though this may require a fee.

2. Delete Unused Accounts

Scrubbing your own data can be a usual starting point as you have control of it. Deleting old social media accounts or limiting the amount of data you share can be a great way to limit your data share. If you have a lot of old accounts and services, you might consider using account deleting services which you can find online to find and delete old accounts. These services provide direct links and instructions for account deletion on various platforms. If you cannot find an option to delete an account, contact the company’s customer support. Request a complete deletion of your data.

3. Remove Personal Information from Data Brokers

Data broker sites, much like people search sites, gather extensive information about you. They utilise this data to create supposedly anonymous profiles that are sold to businesses seeking marketing leads or other types of information. The data brokerage industry is substantial, with projections indicating it will grow to $462.4 billion by 2031. Opting out of data brokers is a unique process, but it typically takes only a few minutes. Most data brokers have sections on their websites labelled “Privacy” or “Consumer Information,” where you can find details on how they use your data and instructions on how to opt out.

4. Enhance Your Privacy Settings

As mentioned above, it might be worth reviewing the privacy settings on your social media accounts that you use regularly. Limit the visibility of your posts and personal information to ensure high levels of security. When signing up for newsletters or online forms, make use of disposable email addresses which can be easily set up with temporary email services.

5. Remove Personal Information from Search Engines

In terms of personal data, Google is one of the biggest platforms on the planet. As such, they provide tools to allow you to remove your data from the search engine. Use the Google Removal Tool to request the removal of specific URLs containing your personal information and provide the necessary information as to why. Similarly, Bing and other search engines offer tools to remove personal data from search results. Check their support pages for specific instructions.

6. Use Privacy-Focused Tools

There are plenty of tools out there that can help you keep your privacy online. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your online activity from prying eyes. Consider using browsers like Brave or Firefox, which offer enhanced privacy features. Use ad blockers and tracker blockers like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger to prevent websites from tracking your online behaviour.

Take Control with uEarn

If you are looking for a different way to control your data and gain better ownership of how your data is used, why not try U-Earn? uEarn is a platform designed to give consumers control over their personal data. By using uEarn, you can manage who has access to your data and how it is used. This platform allows you to make informed decisions about your data privacy.

Monetize Your Data

uEarn provides a unique opportunity to monetize your data. Instead of companies profiting from your information without your knowledge, uEarn allows you to self-monetise. You can choose to share your data with trusted companies and receive rewards in return.

Gain Rewards and Benefits

Using uEarn, you can earn money for sharing your data. The platform is designed with consumers in mind, ensuring that you benefit directly from the information you choose to share. This turns the tables on traditional data practices, giving you power and profit. Secure your data and earn from it with our newly developed platform today