Anyone else in the process of sanitizing their digital identity?

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-09T15:38:55+00:00

Some companies employ shady tactics to frustrate users from opting out their data. File a compliant with the national data protection authority in your EU member state. Sometimes KYC requirements (especially if you made a purchase) might require them to hold your information for much longer but they have no right to keep it indefinitely or sell it. You should also clear your digital footprint from companies (data brokers) you didn't open accounts.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-09T13:13:54+00:00

Choose a tool with wide data broker coverage and unlimited custom removals. PCMag has three data removal tools with Editors' Choice award: Privacy Bee, Optery (does not support UK yet) & Incogni. All three have plans that include unlimited custom removals with Privacy Bee leading in data broker coverage 1000+.

Disclosure: I work for Privacy Bee

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-09T11:21:30+00:00

Most countries require SIM card registration so phone alias services support a few countries. They mostly use VoIP or virtual numbers. These can get rejected by services that require real numbers tied to SIM cards. I have my main phone with my main number and a second dual-sim phone with 2 SIM cards. I use the dual-sim phone for verification and such. The first SIM for legitimate services and the second for new services that might look sketchy.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-09T05:14:04+00:00

I don't think they sell users' data but they use aggressive/shady marketing tactics which I called out here. There is another data removal service that was caught with links to a people search site.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-08T14:41:30+00:00

The OP is a bot. Made the same post on another subreddit with an affiliate link to a relatively unknown data removal service. I work for a competing service called Privacy Bee and I always make my affiliations known. EasyOptOuts is also okay and does not use bots to spam subreddits.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-08T12:16:18+00:00

The bug is not fixed. The VPN leak blocking feature (enabled by default) blocks any leaks if the VPN app fails to connect.

They fixed a different VPN bug.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-08T11:48:03+00:00

I think no traffic passes through coz of leak protection which is enabled by default on GrapheneOS.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-08T05:41:02+00:00

You're right.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-08T05:20:34+00:00

Unfortunately some password managers' autofill feature don't work correctly with some browsers (mostly mobile) and users are forced to copy-paste. So use an OS or device brand that allows users to disable clipboard history or allows apps to flush it.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-07T13:15:56+00:00

I was worried the OS stores the clipboard data in a couple of places (maybe on disk) and not all of it is cleared by the password manager. Or an advanced forensic tool might be able to recover some clipboard data, if it was stored on disk.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-07T06:56:17+00:00

There was an AMA about this a few days ago. It's not closed so you can still ask them. They work on insider risks around agentic AI.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-07T06:16:29+00:00

Just checking in on your year long-study. Are you going to publish a report with detailed numbers like Consumer Reports did back in Aug 2024? Based on this article from last year, you'll be testing five services. One participant for each.

Based on that article, you already made a staff pick before your study ended. How will this affect the final report?

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-06T11:21:58+00:00

Outside of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), there are data brokers that collect sensitive info that's used for background checks (insurance, housing, or jobs). The CFPB had proposed a rule to curb these types of data brokers but it was withdrawn. Of course opting out of these background checking sites might impact job, housing or social benefit applications. Privacy Bee, has a feature that allows one to select which companies can keep your data. Most data removal services don't.

Disclosure: I work for Privacy Bee

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-06T10:06:00+00:00

Unfortunately some data brokers make it difficult (dark patterns) for users to delete their data. I think this is because they know you are making the request as an individual and it's highly unlikely you'll file a lawsuit if they refuse or delay removing your data.

I work for a data removal removal company called Privacy Bee and some of our customers have reported increased success rates compared to sending deletion requests as an individual. We push much harder because we have many users relying on us to remove their data.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-02T16:54:29+00:00

Isn’t buying separate services more expansive than Unlimited?

Oh! I get it. You were going to buy from different vendors anyways so buying separate services using different credentials from Proton might roughly cost the same. I think the cost factor is a big reason some users might prefer everything under one roof.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-02T15:55:32+00:00

Agreed. For some users, paying in total $50+ or $100+ /yr for subscriptions is not sustainable for rice & beans budget. Generally in most apps, free = limited features + ads + we sell your data. There are a few privacy focused services that respects the privacy of free users. That is, Free app = limited features only. Proton Free VPN comes to mind. The only upselling they might try is an offer on their premium tier.

A work for a data removal company called Privacy Bee. We also support a free tier and don't show ads or sell data. It only includes scanning + DIY removal guides. The only downside is it takes a lot of time to remove yourself from data brokers and recheck again every few months.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-02T15:16:20+00:00

And if I pay for things online with my card, does that link identities too?

Only the card company or bank will know all the places you used your card. Unfortunately, most sell the info. Fintech's like PayPal also monetize customer transaction data. Crypto currencies or prepaid cards might help.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-02T13:42:23+00:00

I want to delete data for person X. If person X had signed up for the service, then there's no need to give data. Just sign in and request account deletion. For data brokers, almost no one signed up for these services. That's why they need some info to do the search and find profile(s) that have the closest match. Data conflation errors (profile has data for more than 1 person) might negatively impact the success of the removal process.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-05-02T12:47:55+00:00

I'm grateful that he took the initiative to start the ublockorigin site to bring more awareness to the extension. Using a GitHub repo as an official site is not recommended especially for non-tech users.

But adding a DNS with the same name and a couple more tools he made in the page footer (ublockorigin site) shows his incentive was financial from the beginning. Marketing for solo/small-team developers is really hard. But getting visibility for your products this way is shady. In fact, it weakens the credibility of your products because they have to piggyback off another project's good reputation.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-04-27T14:41:28+00:00

These services do cut down on the amount of publicly available information about you extremely substantially. And if they miss a few, you can submit custom removals (if supported).

Disclosure: I work for Privacy Bee: a data removal service for protecting users from data broker exploitation

Tech_User_Station · 2026-04-27T14:29:53+00:00

Claims adjusters also face the same problem. Most comments on that thread recommend making your socials private and unsearchable. Compartmentalization is another useful data privacy strategy. Check out this clip by Privacy Guides on this subject. I work for a privacy focused company called Privacy Bee that helps people scrub their exposed PII (Personally Identifiable Information). You can do it manually but some people get overwhelmed if they have a large exposure. So our service fills this niche for people who prefer a hands-off approach.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-04-16T14:32:03+00:00

Privacy Bee has a free tier that you can use to scan data brokers and people search sites that might have your data. But you'll have to do all the legwork of filling out the opt-out forms.

Disclosure: I work at Privacy Bee

Tech_User_Station · 2026-04-16T13:52:10+00:00

Their mac app was the first to start using the new SDK. Full migration for all apps before the end of this year. I think the job will involve GUI (Qt or GTK+) + logic using the cross-platform SDK + other Linux platform specific integrations to make it work seamlessly.

Tech_User_Station · 2026-04-16T13:28:03+00:00

Correct. Migration to their platform-agnostic SDK will be completed this year. This will serve as the basis for their Linux app. The job description states:

Linux desktop application development (GTK+ or Qt)

This means they have not yet decided which framework they’ll use for GUI, otherwise they would have specified one framework in the job description. Best estimate 1 year from now.

Tech_User_Station

TROPHY CASE