Guides & Articles
Data Broker Opt-Out Guides
Free, step-by-step instructions for removing yourself or an older parent from the people-search sites that publish names, ages, home addresses, and phone numbers. Hundreds of these sites exist; these guides cover the biggest ones, the sites most likely to be listing your family right now, with the exact steps and a last-verified date for each. No account, no cost.
The problem
How your personal information gets used
People-search sites are one type of data broker. They can assemble public records and other available information into reports that include a person's age, current and former addresses, phone numbers, and possible relatives. The Federal Trade Commission explains how these reports are built and how to request an opt-out.
These listings can make contact details and family connections easier to find. That does not mean every listing will be used for fraud, but reducing unnecessary exposure can be a practical privacy step. For broader, sourced context about reported losses and common scam types, see KinKeeper's elder fraud statistics.
The FTC says most people-search sites provide a way to opt out, but procedures and legal rights vary. The guides below link to the official route that was available when each one was last verified. An opt-out may suppress a listing without deleting the public record it came from, so check periodically for new or changed listings.
California residents can also submit one request through the state's free Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). Requests are open now; registered data brokers begin mandatory processing on August 1, 2026 and then process requests at least every 45 days. DROP does not cover every company or record, and it is available only to eligible California residents.
Two ways to get off these sites
Use a guide now. Follow KinKeeper’s progress.
Free, with these guides
These guides cover major people-search sites with a no-fee self-service route verified by KinKeeper. Timing and verification differ by site. Check important listings periodically and repeat a request only when a new or changed profile appears.
Jump to the guides ↓Guided Data Removal
Keep supported opt-out requests and their status together in one view. Timing and verification still depend on each broker.
Join waitlist →The guides
Guides for the biggest people-search sites
Good to know
Common questions
What to expect when you remove a listing for yourself or help an older parent do it.
Is it free to remove my information from these sites?
The people-search sites covered by these guides had a no-fee self-service opt-out when each guide was last verified. Rights and procedures vary by company and location, and paid removal services are optional. Use the site's official privacy or opt-out page rather than paying an unexpected 'removal fee.'
Can I do this for my mother or father?
Often, with their permission. Each guide has a 'Doing this for a parent?' note. Some forms require the person's own email, phone, identity check, or authorized-agent process, so follow that site's current instructions and complete verification together when needed.
Why does my information come back after I remove it?
An opt-out may suppress an existing people-search listing without changing the public records behind it. New or changed source records can create a different listing later. The FTC recommends checking periodically; follow the site-specific guidance rather than treating any one schedule as a guarantee.
How long does the whole list take?
It varies by site and by the verification required. The guides show the steps and last-verified date for each service. Recheck the sites that matter to you periodically, because a prior opt-out may not cover a new or changed listing.
Privacy protection
Keep privacy work in one clear view.
Use the free guides, or keep supported opt-outs, status, and repeat checks organized with KinKeeper Privacy.
Waitlist updates · No payment required · Unsubscribe anytime