More than half a billion Facebook users had their personal details leaked in 2019, but the fallout is far from over. With my own info scattered after several breaches, I decided to test DeleteMe, a service promising to scrub my data from the web.
Data Breaches Aren't Just Old News
Remember when Facebook revealed a breach exposing data from 533 million users? The company insisted the leak was old, dating back to 2019, and claimed the issue had been secured. But experts beg to differ. The problem is the nature of the data—phone numbers, birthdates, locations and email addresses—that rarely change. Rob Shavell, CEO of DeleteMe, puts it plainly: “Even if the data is old, it’s never really old because it will always be useful for data brokers.”
These brokers collect, combine and sell personal data for as little as 99 cents. And the breach likely changed hands many times since 2019, making it a treasure trove for cybercriminals and spammers. Ivan Righi, a cyberthreat analyst, explains that the breach data was probably resold multiple times, eventually ending up publicly exposed to boost a hacker’s reputation.
The leaked info can be used to hack accounts, including those protected by two-factor authentication via text. On top of that, it fuels a rise in spam calls, which many Australians can attest to. Shavell summed it up: “Forget about being hacked, it’s just annoying to be constantly getting spam calls.”
Why I Tried DeleteMe
I’ve been caught up in at least eight data breaches, according to Have I Been Pwned—a website that tracks compromised accounts. These include big names like Under Armour and ParkMobile.
Knowing my data was out there on dozens of sites, I wanted to see if DeleteMe could help me take it back.
DeleteMe works by scanning the internet for personal details tied to your name—things like phone numbers, addresses, email—and requests their removal from data brokers and search engines. While you can do this yourself, it’s a massive hassle. Each site has its own opt-out form, and you have to keep checking back after future breaches. DeleteMe handles this ongoing work.
After signing up, I filled out a Data Sheet with my current and past addresses, phone numbers, and other details. Uploading an ID was optional but sped up removal on some sites that require proof of identity.
Then DeleteMe’s experts got to work.
The Impact So Far
Within weeks, I started receiving opt-out confirmation emails. DeleteMe’s privacy team sends these on your behalf, but you need to confirm the requests. After around two months, many of my details vanished from popular data broker sites.
The difference was noticeable. Spam calls reduced, and searching my name online showed fewer personal details. The service also sends privacy reports so you can track progress. It’s not perfect—some sites still hold onto limited info, and removals need to be repeated regularly—but overall, it’s a big improvement.
DeleteMe isn’t the only player here. Services like Surfshark’s Incogni also offer data removal and ongoing monitoring. Incogni boasts removal from over 420 data brokers and sends repeat requests every 60 to 90 days to prevent your info from resurfacing. It’s a similar approach with monthly or annual plans and a money-back guarantee for new users.
What It Means for Australians
Data breaches aren’t just an overseas problem. Australian users have been caught up in global leaks, and local data brokers operate quietly but widely. Getting personal info off the internet isn’t straightforward. Privacy laws like Europe’s GDPR and California’s CCPA provide some protections, but enforcement is patchy, and companies often delay notifying users.
DeleteMe and similar services fill a gap by actively removing data and pushing back against brokers profiting from your identity. But the work is ongoing. As breaches continue and data brokers adapt, vigilance is essential. Paying for a service like DeleteMe could be a practical step for Australians worried about their digital footprint.
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With data breaches showing no sign of slowing, tools like DeleteMe offer a way to fight back. The question is how many Australians will take that step before the fallout hits closer to home.
This article was created with AI assistance.
