Data Removal for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors
If you are leaving or have left an abusive relationship, reducing public personal information may be one part of a broader safety plan. Use a qualified advocate or local program when there is an active threat; this guide avoids assuming that any provider can remove every copy.
Threat model
Former abuser, stalker, or hostile family member
Why are dv & stalking survivors at elevated risk?
People-search listings and public records can expose addresses or relationships, but the available fields and matching quality vary. An Address Confidentiality Program may help eligible participants with specified records, while provider requests address only the source and scope covered by each route.
Which brokers should you remove first?
Not every broker is equally dangerous for your situation. Start here, in this order:
- 1.TruePeopleSearch, a source to review when a matching listing is visible
- 2.FastPeopleSearch, another source to review when a matching listing is visible
- 3.Whitepages, harder opt-out but high priority
- 4.Spokeo, surfaces family members (siblings, parents) who may be targeted
- 5.BeenVerified, Intelius, Nuwber, deeper profiles used by persistent stalkers
Where is your data leaking from?
- Voter registration (some states let survivors suppress)
- Property records under prior name
- Marriage/divorce court records
- Utility records
- Social media, even private accounts leak via tagged photos
How do you remove your data, the playbook
- 1
Ask your state's Address Confidentiality Program whether you qualify and what records it covers. Programs differ; do not assume a substitute address changes every government, private, or mail record.
- 2
Change your phone number and use a number that is not traceable to your prior life (Google Voice, Mint Mobile with a new email).
- 3
Review sources in an order based on verified exposure, safety risk, and the current provider route; do not rank them by an unverified processing speed.
- 4
Choose follow-up checks based on source changes, provider responses, and safety risk; there is no universal re-listing cycle.
- 5
Consider working with a survivor-focused organisation (NNEDV, local DV shelter), many have privacy specialists who can expedite and support the process.
Generate requests in under 60 seconds
Generate profession-ready opt-out requests for $9
FAQ: DV & Stalking Survivors
Is data broker removal enough to stay safe?+
It is essential but not sufficient. Combine with: Address Confidentiality Program enrollment, a new phone number, careful social media review, and where appropriate, a restraining order and safety plan developed with a DV advocate.
Will the abuser be notified if I request removal?+
Do not assume a provider will notify or not notify another person, or that a request is confidential in every respect. Read the current privacy and verification notice, use a safe contact method, and ask a qualified advocate how to avoid alerting an unsafe person.
I cannot afford $9 right now. What can I do?+
Manual opt-out is free. The guide at /how-to-remove-your-data-from-data-brokers walks through it. Also: local DV shelters, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Safety Net Project, and many state coalitions offer direct privacy assistance at no cost.
Related professional guides
Which laws apply to dv & stalking survivors?
These statutes are most directly relevant to your threat model. Read each explainer to understand what you can invoke in a deletion request.