How Do I Get My Personal Information Removed from Internet People Search?

So, you’ve Googled yourself (come on, we’ve all done it) and found your personal information plastered all over people search websites. Yikes, right? Whether it's your address, phone number, or even more personal details like your relatives or job history, it's unsettling to see your private life exposed so easily.

Now you’re probably wondering: how do I get this stuff removed? Well, you're not alone, and the good news is—there are steps you can take. Let’s dig into the world of online privacy and get your personal information off the web. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s absolutely doable!

Step 1: Know Where Your Information Is

Before you can remove anything, you need to know where your information is showing up. People search sites (like Spokeo, Whitepages, MyLife, and Intelius) tend to collect and share personal details based on public records, social media, and other online databases.

Start by typing your name into a search engine, and look at what pops up. Don’t just click on the first link—scroll through the pages, you’ll probably be surprised at how many websites list your details. Pro tip: Using “incognito mode” in your browser can give you a more accurate view of what others might see when they search for you.

Step 2: Contact Websites Directly

Once you’ve identified the websites where your info is listed, the next step is reaching out to them directly. Many of these people search sites have specific forms or processes for opting out or removing personal information.

For example, Whitepages has an opt-out form that allows you to request removal of your data. But—and here’s the frustrating part—it's not always as simple as clicking a button. You might have to verify your identity or go through a verification process. It can be a bit of a hassle, but stick with it!

Some sites may ask you to send an email or even a copy of a photo ID to prove you're the person requesting removal. It feels a little invasive, right? But once you’ve jumped through the hoops, your info should eventually be taken down.

Step 3: Use Opt-Out Services

If you’re not keen on filling out forms and sending emails to dozens of websites, there are services out there that can handle this for you. They work by automating the process of opting out of people search sites and can even help keep your data off the web in the long run.

Services like DeleteMe or OneRep can be a good option. They charge a fee, but if the thought of dealing with this mess is too overwhelming, these services will do the heavy lifting. Keep in mind, though, that some sites might not be covered by these services, so it’s a good idea to check periodically to make sure your info hasn’t popped up somewhere new.

Step 4: Consider Removing Yourself from Data Broker Websites

Now, here’s the thing: people search sites aren’t the only culprits. There are also data broker websites that collect and sell personal information. These sites can be harder to deal with because they don’t always provide easy opt-out options. But don’t panic! Websites like MyLife and BeenVerified can sometimes take a little longer to remove data from, but they do have processes in place for this.

A good approach here is to look up specific data broker opt-out guides. You’ll often find step-by-step instructions for each site. And yeah, it might feel like you’re signing up for a whole new job with all the paperwork and follow-ups, but it’ll be worth it when you’re no longer seeing your name splashed all over the internet.

Step 5: Update Your Privacy Settings on Social Media

You may not realize it, but social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram are often gold mines for personal info. If your accounts are set to "public," your name, photo, location, and other sensitive data could be easily scraped by people search websites.

Start by tightening up your privacy settings on these platforms. On Facebook, for instance, you can adjust who sees your posts, who can search for you, and whether people can find you using your email or phone number. Don’t just trust the default settings—take the time to go through them and customize for maximum privacy.

Oh, and don’t forget to remove your old accounts! Did you ever sign up for MySpace, or some other forgotten platform, back in the day? If that account is still live, it’s time to delete it. (Yes, I’m looking at you, MySpace.) These forgotten accounts can still be found and linked to your name, adding more fuel to the fire.

Step 6: Monitor Your Information Going Forward

Okay, so now you’ve cleaned up your online presence—well, as much as possible. But here’s the thing: the internet is always changing, and new sites crop up all the time. This means you need to stay on top of things.

Regularly Google yourself (again, don’t worry, it’s normal) and monitor what comes up. Some people use Google Alerts to track when their name pops up on a website, so you can be notified when new info about you appears. That way, if you find something, you can get on it quickly before it spreads further.

Step 7: Consider Legal Action (If Necessary)

Okay, I’m going to get real here: if after all your efforts you still can’t get your info removed, and it’s causing real harm (like identity theft or harassment), you may want to consult a lawyer. There are laws that protect your privacy, and in some extreme cases, taking legal action might be the way to go. But that’s a last resort—hopefully, you won’t need to go that far!

Bottom Line

Getting your personal information removed from people search sites is a bit of a slog, but it's entirely possible with persistence and the right strategies. Sure, it’s frustrating that we have to fight for our privacy in the first place, but with a little time and effort, you can take back control over what’s shared about you online.

Just remember, this isn’t a one-and-done situation. You’ll need to keep an eye on your online presence, update your privacy settings, and stay proactive. It might be a hassle, but trust me, it’s worth it to feel safe and secure knowing your personal information isn’t just floating around out there.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.