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Data Broker Opt-Out Sweep

Search your name on data broker sites (which sell your info to advertisers) and systematically request removal.

40 min Intermediate

Goal

Reduce the spread of your personal data (address, phone, age) aggregated and sold by companies you've never heard of.

Steps

1

Search your full name + city on Google, note any data-broker sites appearing (Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified and similar).

4 more steps locked

Expected Outcome

Immediate

You typically discover 5-15 sites publicly displaying your personal info without your knowledge.

Evidence base

School: Data Privacy / Consumer Protection

Founders: Electronic Frontier Foundation · Federal Trade Commission (2020)

EFF and the FTC document that the data-broker industry collects and sells precise personal information (address, estimated income, marital status) without explicit consent, recommending periodic removal sweeps as a first line of defense.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "Data Broker Opt-Out Sweep" take?

This exercise takes about 40 minutes, practiced solo in a Action format.

When will I notice the effect of "Data Broker Opt-Out Sweep"?

You typically discover 5-15 sites publicly displaying your personal info without your knowledge. In the short term: Within 6 weeks, your info disappears from most sites where you submitted removal requests.

Is "Data Broker Opt-Out Sweep" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on Data Privacy / Consumer Protection (Electronic Frontier Foundation, Federal Trade Commission (2020)). EFF and the FTC document that the data-broker industry collects and sells precise personal information (address, estimated income, marital status) without explicit consent, recommending periodic removal sweeps as a first line of defense.

Is "Data Broker Opt-Out Sweep" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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