OptOutOf

← Your data in the US

Remove yourself from US people-search sites

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

People-search sites compile public records and other data into profiles. Most offer a free opt-out. Several sites share an owner, so one request can cover a whole group. The FTC suggests searching for your name or phone number first, then using each site's opt-out link.

In California? Start with DROP, which sends one request to every registered data broker. Then check the sites below, since DROP excludes public records.

PeopleConnect: Intelius, TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, US Search

  • How: the PeopleConnect suppression centre. Enter your email, click the verification link, then continue. Intelius, TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate's own opt-out pages redirect here.
  • Covers: "all people search sites in the PeopleConnect family", including TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, Intelius and US Search. It suppresses name-search reports; your details may still appear in phone, address or email reports, and it doesn't cover Classmates.com.
  • Cost: free.

Spokeo

  • How: Spokeo's "Remove A Public Listing" tool. Its privacy policy says this covers Spokeo.com and other Spokeo-operated sites, except ThatsThem (below), and that it removes public information in real time once the request is submitted.
  • Court records are only removed with an expungement or sealing order (email [email protected]).

Spokeo's opt-out page blocked our check, so the tool's exact steps aren't confirmed here.

ThatsThem (owned by Spokeo)

  • How: the ThatsThem opt-out form: full name, street address, city, state, ZIP, email and phone (email and phone are required). No ID.
  • Timing: "typically processed within 72 hours", with a confirmation email.

Whitepages

  • How: the suppression requests page. Find your listing, paste its URL, click "Remove Me", give a reason, then enter a phone number and take an automated call with a 4-digit code.
  • Needs: a phone that can take the verification call. No ID.
  • Search results: Whitepages says cached copies in search engines can take up to 30 days to clear.

BeenVerified

  • How: BeenVerified's opt-out tool (linked from its FAQ), or email [email protected].
  • Good to know: its FAQ says opting out removes you from its people-search results, but other information that "can't conclusively be associated" with your opt-out may still appear, and you can opt that out too. BeenVerified says it only covers US-based people.

Whether one BeenVerified opt-out also covers its sister sites (such as PeopleLooker and PeopleSmart) isn't confirmed.

MyLife

  • How: MyLife's privacy policy says to use its Help section or email [email protected].
  • Good to know: MyLife says it will take reasonable steps to check you're the owner of the profile and may contact you. Removal is "from public display", and some data may remain in backups.

Not yet confirmed

We couldn't open the current opt-out pages for TruePeopleSearch, FastPeopleSearch (and its sister sites), PeopleFinders or Nuwber to check the steps, so they aren't described here. Following the FTC's advice, look for an opt-out or "remove my information" link on each site.

Why listings come back

The FTC says that if your public records change, your information can reappear, and it can also show up in relatives' or neighbours' reports. It suggests checking the sites again periodically and submitting new opt-outs when needed. Opting out doesn't remove anything from government public records themselves.

Sources

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