Automated Data Broker Opt-Out Service
In this guide, you’ll learn why manually dealing with data brokers is a fool’s errand because:
- It takes hundreds of hours a month to deal with all of them.
- Once your data is removed, it’ll most likely pop up somewhere else inside another data broker site.
- You need to keep detailed records (spreadsheets) on all your progress and requests, and then update them accordingly.
- Or, you could use an automated data removal tool that works for you round the clock, 356 days a year?
Written by
Data brokers are some of the most aggressive collectors of personal information online.
They scrape, buy, and resell your details: your name, address, phone number, email, relatives, job history, and more.
This information fuels everything from marketing lists to people-search engines, and it’s almost impossible to keep off the internet manually.
That’s where automated opt-out services come in. They handle the removal process for you, continuously and at scale.
How The Data Broker Opt-Out Process Works
At its core, opting out means telling a broker: “You’re not allowed to use or sell my data.”
Most reputable brokers are legally required to honor these requests under privacy laws like GDPR (UK/EU) and CCPA (California).
If you do things manually, the process looks something like this:
- Find the broker – Identify which of the hundreds of brokers has your data.
- Submit an opt-out request – Fill in forms, emails, or even send copies of your ID.
- Wait for confirmation – Some respond in days, others in weeks.
- Recheck regularly – Brokers often refresh their lists, meaning your details can reappear.
This might sound manageable for one or two sites. But when you multiply that by 100+ brokers, each with different rules, it becomes a full-time job that can quickly consume your life.
Why Manual Opt-Outs Don’t Work
The problem with DIY data removal is scale.
Unless you have an entire team of people working on your behalf, it’s basically impossible to stay on top of things.
There’s just so many data brokers out there, and they’re all after the same thing. And once one gets access to your data, the others do too.
Here’s the true scope of the problem:
- Hundreds of sites — each with unique forms and requirements.
- Time-intensive — expect 50–100 hours just to get through a fraction of them.
- Data reappears — meaning you need to repeat the process every few months.
- Hidden links — many brokers bury their opt-out pages deep in legal sections.
- Inconsistent compliance — some simply ignore requests unless you follow up.
Most people start the process, get overwhelmed, and give up, leaving their data exposed. It’s just too big a task for one person which is why automated data removal tools exist.
The Advantage of Automated Opt-Out Services
Automated data removal services are built to take this pain away; they use AI and machine-learning to do the legwork, constantly scanning and checking and submitting requests on your behalf.
Instead of chasing every broker yourself, an automated data removal tool:
- Scans the web for where your data appears
- Sends removal requests automatically to hundreds of brokers
- Leverages privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA for legal compliance
- Re-scans and re-submits requests when your data resurfaces
- Provide a dashboard and progress reports so you can see results in real time
- The end result? Continuous protection with almost no effort on your part.
Legal Compliance: Why Requests Stick
Privacy laws give you the right to control your data — but most people don’t have the time or knowledge to enforce those rights. Automated services do it for you.
- GDPR (UK/EU) – Grants the right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”).
- CCPA (California) – Gives consumers the right to opt out of data sales.
- Other State Laws – More U.S. states are passing similar protections each year.
An automated service submits requests in the correct legal format, forcing brokers to comply — and follows up when they don’t.
Incogni: Automated Data Broker Opt-Out Made Simple
Among the available tools, Incogni offers the best mix of coverage, speed, and affordability.
- Covers 250+ data brokers (including people search sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, Intelius)
- Full automation — set it up once and let it run in the background
- Legal muscle — uses GDPR/CCPA to enforce your opt-outs
- Affordable pricing — from ~£7–£15/month
- Ongoing monitoring — prevents your data from reappearing
Setup takes less than 10 minutes. After that, Incogni continuously works on your behalf, sending requests, tracking compliance, and keeping your data suppressed.
Manually opting out of data brokers is technically possible, but realistically unmanageable. With hundreds of brokers and constant relisting, the process never ends.
An automated opt-out service like Incogni makes the difference: fast setup, full legal compliance, ongoing protection, and real results in weeks.
The fastest, easiest way to protect yourself is with Incogni.