I have been upset recently by a colleague googling me and found my full name on several 3D Printing sites I used to use. I guess I signed in with my google account and so it just pops up now that I’ve deleted all my socials.
I have a fairly uncommon first + last combo so the cursory google search and then sending “delete my data” emails from the email they know from the 3 data brokers who popped up seems good and now just my linkedin is showing (this is the ideal state).
Is there more I’m missing? should I go for a deleteme subscription in case I missed anything? Other sources I should go to?
I really don’t mind sending my own emails to these pests, but is that really all the services are doing? Or is there a backend I’m missing?
I highly recommend Optery. There are far more information databases than those found on Google.
The second phase is to stop using all the accounts they find and start using disposable emails and credit cards. I use Simple Login and Privacy and have made it very difficult linking my information in any low-level clearinghouse.
I tried using Privacy a few years ago, but 1. a lot of websites block Privacy’s prepaid debit card numbers and 2. I ran into a spending limit.
But, the ease of use was nice. Not sure if things have changed since then.