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Are data broker removal services actually legit? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Gonzako@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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The latest massive youtube sponsor seems to be data broker removal services. As a rule of thumb is if I see the same sponsor more than 3 times it's just a scam.

But as I've recently become assaulted with scam calls due to trying to find a different job the prospect of services like these seem to be more and more enticing.

What do you all think? Is actually a service?

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[–] mrductape@eviltoast.org 0 points 2 weeks ago

I don't believe it is worth it. You're much better off keeping your data off the Internet in the first place.

The problem is, if you employ a service like that:

It is a cost that returns every month.
What happens with your data? You have to give your data to the company so they know what to remove. Can you imagine what happens if they are hacked? Would they even tell their customers? Or just keep quite? They have everything you don't want the Internet to know in one location, not only for you, but a lot of users. It's a target, for sure.

For me, it's not worth it. I keep minimal info out in public. I don't have social media. If I Google myself, I find nothing. So why would I pay for a service that I don't need?

Can you even see what data a service like that removes? And how often?

Now, if you know your data is on the Internet and it's being used you may consider it. But it's probably to late already. The people using your data already have it, and may sell it to their scamming buddies too. There's not much a company can do about that.