Privacy guides
Practical guides on data brokers and personal privacy. We add new articles as we learn what people actually need to know.
What is a data broker?
Data brokers collect, aggregate, and sell personal information without most people's knowledge. Here's where they get it, who buys it, and why it matters.
How people-search sites get your information
Voter rolls, property records, phone books, social profiles: people-search sites aggregate dozens of public and commercial sources. We trace the chain from source to listing.
CCPA and state privacy laws explained
California's CCPA gave consumers the right to opt out of data sales. A dozen other states followed with their own laws. We explain what each law actually covers, including where the gaps are.
Why removed data reappears, and what to do
Successful removals don't last forever. Brokers re-ingest data from upstream sources on a rolling basis. We explain the re-listing cycle and how ongoing monitoring addresses it.
Data legally exempt from removal (FCRA, GLBA, HIPAA)
Not all personal data can be removed. Court records, credit files, and healthcare data are protected by federal law from general opt-out requests. We explain each exemption plainly.
How to read your exposure report
Your exposure report shows every listing we found, its status, and the evidence behind it. This guide walks you through each column, status label, and what to do next.
Protecting your home address online
Your home address is the most sensitive data point on people-search sites. We cover removal requests, P.O. boxes, registered agent services, and what actually works long-term.
A realistic guide to online privacy (no snake oil)
Privacy advice is full of hype. We separate what genuinely reduces your exposure from what's performative, covering data brokers, search engines, social media, and browser settings.