Your data in the US: data brokers and people-search sites

Last checked: 28 Sep 2026; links rechecked 12 Oct 2026

There's no single US law that lets you delete your data from every broker. What you can use depends on where you live: California has a one-stop tool, and elsewhere you opt out site by site. Most opt-outs are free.

A sensible order

This order is our suggestion, based on the sourced facts on each page.

1. In California: use DROP. One request reaches every registered broker and repeats every 45 days.
2. People-search sites, by owner: one PeopleConnect request covers Intelius, TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate and US Search; then Spokeo and ThatsThem; Whitepages; BeenVerified; MyLife.
3. Marketing data brokers: Acxiom, Epsilon, LiveRamp, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
4. Mail: OptOutPrescreen for pre-approved credit offers, and DMAchoice for prospect mail.
5. Check again every few months. The FTC says listings can reappear when public records change.

Paying someone to do it

Paid services file the same opt-outs for you and re-check on a schedule. The FTC suggests asking how many sites a service covers, whether it gives you a report of the sites it's opted you out of, and how often it scans for information that has reappeared.

Outside the US

DROP is for California residents only, and several of these opt-outs need a US address or a US internet connection. UK readers should start with Your data in the UK.

Sources

• FTC: What to know about people search sites that sell your information
• CalPrivacy: DROP
• CalPrivacy: Help with DROP (residents only)
• California data broker registry

This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing to report a correction.