Opt Out from Data Brokers

Opting Out

Register for industry-wide preference Services like DMA Choice (see the Big Privacy Spreadsheet, "Preference Services" tab)
As of 2026, California residents can now register at one website!, DROP to automatically send opt-out/delete requests to all registered data brokers! This also provides status updates so you can confirm how many have obeyed your request. Hypothetically, this should mean you don't have to send individual opt-out requests. Hopefully...
Send opt out/delete requests for the biggest data brokers: In the Big Privacy Spreadsheet see the "Data Brokers & People Search" tab. Start with the ones labeled "Highest Priority". These ~15 companies are the majority of the personal data industry.
Then if you're up for it, keep opting out from more.

The California Consumer Privacy Act is consequential to CA residents. It reserves the right for any California resident to request that any business delete one's personal information among other things.

What Opting Out Can't Do**

It won't stop companies from collecting information in the first place
You cannot remove records from public, government databases
it won't stop tracking by apps, ISPs, and online advertisers
The data economy is designed to leak data.

How to send "Opt Out" or Deletion Request to a Data Broker

Go to a data vendor's website.
If possible, search for yourself (your name, phone number, etc.). Not all of them allow you to find out if they have your data.
If you are listed, make note of this. Save any relevant detail
- URL to their "profile" of you
- sometimes it will have an ID number for you
Request that the information is removed. All of these companies have created some route for requesting your data to be unlisted/deleted.
Sometimes you will be listed twice, based on different addresses. If that's the case, submit multiple requests to remove.

Also try searching for your name or phone number in a search engine (Google, DuckDuckGo). This is another strategy for finding websites that have your data for sale.

Paid Opt Out Services

These companies make money by providing a service. However, they provide the illusion of control. The data being sold by data brokers will not all be deleted by any of these companies. When you opt out, the data broker likely unlists the data, making it no longer for sale.