Your name, address, phone number, and other personal details can end up on data broker websites without your knowledge. Getting that information removed usually involves finding where it is listed, submitting deletion requests, and following up to confirm that the requests have been processed.
With PureVPN’s Remove My Data feature, you can automate this process across 380+ data brokers. But how does it work exactly? In this guide, we will walk you through each stage, from scanning for your information to tracking removal requests and understanding the results.
How to Start the Data Removal Process with PureVPN
To use Remove My Data, you will need a Digital Privacy Protection plan. Once subscribed, just follow these steps:
- Open the PureVPN app and select Identity.
- Choose the Remove My Data option to start the process.
- Enter your Name, Email Address, and any other requested details.
- Submit the form to initiate removal requests. You can then track their progress through the dashboard.
What Happens After You Initiate the Data Removal Process?
Once you submit your details, PureVPN starts searching supported data brokers for your information and handles the removal requests on your behalf. Here is how the process works:
Scanning 380+ Data Broker Websites
PureVPN uses the information you provided to search supported data broker websites for matching records. These include people-search sites, marketing data brokers, recruitment databases, and risk mitigation services.
For example, people-search sites can list your phone number or address, while marketing brokers collect information used for targeted advertising. When your details are found, PureVPN identifies the relevant brokers for removal.
The dashboard also categorises data brokers by high, medium, and low risk scores, helping you understand where your information is being held.
Sending Removal Requests On Your Behalf
Once your information is identified, PureVPN automatically sends deletion or opt-out requests to the relevant data brokers. You do not have to visit individual websites, find their opt-out forms, or contact each broker separately.
However, submitting a request does not mean your information has already been removed. The broker still needs to process it before the removal can be considered complete.
Waiting for Data Brokers to Process Deletions
After the requests are sent, PureVPN monitors their progress while the data brokers review and process them. You can check the Remove My Data dashboard to see the total number of requests sent and how many are pending, in progress, or completed.
If a broker does not respond, PureVPN automatically sends another deletion request every 60 days until a response is received.
How Long Does PureVPN Take to Remove Your Data?
The time it takes to remove your information depends on the data broker handling the request. Some brokers respond within a few hours, while others take weeks or even months. A quick response also does not necessarily mean the deletion is complete.
PureVPN submits and tracks the requests, but the brokers control when they review and process them. If your information appears on several websites, removals can be completed at different times. There is no fixed deadline for every broker to remove your data.
What to Expect Once Your Data Is Removed?
Once a data broker removes your information, PureVPN marks the request as completed in your dashboard. You can check which brokers have processed your requests and which ones are still outstanding.
However, having your data removed once does not necessarily keep it off these websites permanently. Data brokers regularly collect information from public records and other sources, which means your details can appear again in a new listing. If that happens, another removal request will be needed.
Can PureVPN Remove All Your Data from the Internet?
No. Remove My Data covers supported data brokers, so it cannot erase every instance of your personal information online. It does not remove posts from social media, delete public records at their source, or take down details published on unrelated websites.
It also cannot remove information exposed in a past data breach. If your details appear outside supported broker websites, you will need to contact the relevant site or organization directly, or secure affected accounts where necessary.
Final Word
Manually removing your information from data brokers takes time. PureVPN’s Remove My Data handles removal requests and follow-ups across 380+ brokers, so you can track progress without contacting each website yourself. Start reclaiming your data today with PureVPN to see which brokers have your information and request its removal.
