Incogni’s automated personal data removal works great, but if you need to target websites outside of their database, there’s now a solution with Custom Removals as a part of the Unlimited plan.
There has never been a more important time for internet users to be concerned about their digital footprint. Every bit of data you’ve generated online is being scraped, packaged, sold, and redistributed for more profit via data brokers.
No, the answer isn’t to pack up and move to a cave to reclaim a sense of privacy and control. You can be an internet citizen and have control over your personal information; you just have to be proactive.
Take control of your personal data with Incogni
Incogni offers a data removal service that relies on searching through a database of 250 data broker websites for information on a user. If information is found, like name, email, address, phone number, or more, a takedown request is sent and periodically followed up on.
The system is great for helping most users get their data taken down from people search sites, data brokers, and others in the database. However, some users may find that their data shows up on websites outside of Incogni’s automated system.
In that case, you’ll need Incogni Unlimited, which includes Custom Removals. If you find your personal information on a website that Incogni can approach with a data removal request, you can send it to them.
There are some limitations to this, as you can’t remove your data from some kinds of websites due to legal and technical limitations.
Those include:
- Records on government websites, including court records
- Publications reporting on criminal proceedings and convictions
- Social media accounts, blogs, and forums
Otherwise, you can submit your request to Incogni. It does take some time, so don’t expect overnight results.
The Incogni dashboard will keep you up to date on all data removal requests, automated and custom. Notifications will also be sent via email during specific milestones, like in progress, completed, or rejected.
Here’s how a Custom Removal submission works, step-by-step.
- Submit a link for a removal on the Incogni dashboard.
- Incogni will review the link for eligibility of a data removal request.
- If approved, the Incogni team will work on removing your personal information.
- Submissions can take as long as 45 days.
- Once the removal request is completed and personal information is removed, you’ll receive an email.
There is no limitation to how many link submissions you can make, hence the “unlimited” plan. Submissions are processed in the order you submit them.
The great thing about Incogni is that it is a service that does all of the footwork for you. Instead of tediously searching the web for scraps of exposed personal data, sending data removal requests, and repeating the process hundreds of times, Incogni does it for you.
Incogni helps you remove personal information from the internet – Image credit: Incogni
Save the hours and headache and sit back and watch your data get deleted via a handy dashboard. The process helps eliminate the ability for companies and bad actors to buy your information and target you with spam or phishing attempts.
The process is simple:
- Sign up for an Incogni account and provide permission for the company to act on your behalf.
- Incogni scans people search and data broker sites for your data.
- Removal requests are sent, then resent until something is done.
- Repeated scans prevent websites from re-adding data about you.
- Lists of data brokers, people search sites, and more are updated regularly so Incogni can stay on top of things.
- If a data broker appeals a removal request, Incogni handles the appeal for you.
Don’t stop with Incogni
Part of having good internet hygiene is limiting the amount of data that exists about you online in the first place. The less you provide, the less there is to scrape and sell.
The most important aspect of being safe and secure online is healthy password practices. Use unique passwords for every app, website, or login and rely on a password manager.
If your passwords are weak or reused across accounts, you increase the risk of exposing private information or being hacked. A password gleaned in a Home Depot hack that works for your bank account would be devastating.
The Incogni dashboard keeps you up to date
You’ll also want to share as little personally identifiable information as possible. This doesn’t mean you can’t use social media or post photos, just be aware of the kind of information you’re sharing.
The same goes for websites like Amazon, Target, and others. You don’t need to give every app and website your location, contacts, and email address.
Of course, many of us have been online for decades and dumped tons of information into websites before we knew better. That’s why a tool like Incogni is essential for everyone.
Maintain good internet hygiene going forward, delete data you’ve exposed in the past, and use Incogni to manage what data brokers are trying to sell.
Another useful tool is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) like Surfshark VPN. It’s never a bad idea to turn on a VPN when you’re using public Wi-Fi or even when you’re at home streaming.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and keeps your activity hidden from the network and even the internet service provider. Browse websites as if you were in Japan, or go shopping using an IP address in the UK thanks to VPN technology.
Incogni is a part of Surfshark, which also offers the VPN, but it has other great services too. You can utilize Alternative ID to generate a new identity to provide to websites, like a fake email or address.
It is never too late to start taking control of your data online. It won’t take long before your digital footprint reduces to the point that ad trackers can’t pin you down and data brokers have virtually nothing on you.
A good place to start is with Incogni.
Save up to 50% on Incogni
Incogni annual plans are currently up to 50% off, making it a great time to start removing your personal information from the web right away. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and you can cancel anytime.
