Best data removal services 2025: Delete yourself from the internet

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You can't always control the flow of your digital information, but you can and should lock down your individual accounts. Data breaches are common, and you need to take extra steps to improve your security and privacy.

The first step in reducing your digital footprint is overhauling the online services you use and deleting anything you no longer want such as old shopping accounts, social media profiles, and mailing list subscriptions. Cybercriminals can leverage old data for identity theft or impersonation. Manual digital overhauls can only go so far and are often time-consuming processes. The best data removal services take on this task for you.

What's the best personal data removal service right now?

Based on my extensive research and the ZDNET team's years of experience in data removal practices and techniques, our top pick to delete yourself from the internet is Incogni.

Also: 9 ways to delete yourself from the internet in 2025: Hide your identity

Surfshark's Incogni tackles data removal and data brokers on your behalf and will enforce these requests using applicable data protection laws. Its service has amassed many positive customer reviews. You pay the equivalent of $8.29 per month if you sign up for an annual plan.

Alternatively, DeleteMe is another well-known user-friendly data removal service that offers individual, business, or family plans, starting at $8.71 per month.

Below, you will find my top recommendations for the best data removal services in 2025.

The best data removal services of 2025

Surfshark's Incogni is a great service for removing yourself from the internet and negotiating with data brokers, securing its position as our top pick.

Why we like it: Once you've signed up, Incogni will send removal requests to a wide array of data brokers and enforce these requests using applicable privacy laws, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

The company says that most requests are handled within eight weeks, but some may require action from you. Incogni will also tackle shadow profiles on your behalf. Requests that data brokers initially ignore will be repeated.

Also: Surfshark VPN review

Who it's for: Everyone. Incogni boasts over 30 million data removals completed to date and has some of the best customer feedback of all our recommendations.

Customers say they feel the benefit of reduced spam calls and emails, and that data is removed quickly. That said, some reports may not provide as much in-depth information as some customers want.

If you're unsure how much information you need to be removed from the internet, you can opt for the monthly plan and consider a clean-up once or twice a year. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee making this service is an excellent try-before-you-buy option.

Who should look elsewhere: This service best serves individuals, and so businesses might want to look at other options or consider the dedicated Incogni Ironwall service.

Regarding pricing, Incogni offers monthly or annual plans. An individual monthly plan costs $16.58 per month. If you want to pay once a year, Incogni's services will cost you the equivalent of $8.29 per month. Family plans start at $16.49 per month.

Incogni also provides DIY guides if you'd prefer to tackle the task yourself.

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DeleteMe has earned many positive customer reviews, and it's easy to see why. This user-friendly option will help you remove sensitive and personal information from online sources and data brokers while saving you time and effort.

Why we like it: Being user-friendly is one of DeleteMe's priorities. Once you've submitted your information, the organization will search for it online and send removal requests to third parties holding your data, including 750 data brokers. Named brokers include Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified.

Users can also explore other security features, including email and phone masking. Last year, the service expanded beyond the U.S., Europe, and Canada, and in recent news, is utilizing artificial intelligence to tackle dark web and data broker data pools.

Who it's for: Individuals looking for relatively quick data removal. You will receive a report outlining DeleteMe's progress within a week. The company says that, on average, 15 public data listings belonging to a searchable subject via Google are removed within "days." Many customers say the service exceeds expectations, but the upfront cost can be daunting.

Who should look elsewhere: Businesses or individuals hoping to tackle data removal themselves. If you are in the latter category, you can also use DeleteMe's guides for extra help.

DeleteMe offers a range of plans. These include a subscription for one person, for one year at $10.75 per month, or for two years at $8.71 per month. Other subscriptions include a two-person plan for two years, priced at $14.54 per month. Family plans begin at $20.79 per month on a two-year contract.

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Kanary's old setup was a proven service for cleaning up your online information. A company that's now geared towards the tech-savvy generation, Kanary has recently shifted from broad family plans and data removal offerings to a mobile-first solution focused on automation called Kanary Copilot.

Why we like it: The company has pivoted to offering a free service to combat online stalking and doxxing. With the press of a button, this automated app will attempt to tackle data leaks, conduct removal requests, and fix security issues on your behalf.

So, why is it free? The company says: "We don't want cost to be a barrier, especially for younger people just establishing their online footprint. We believe online safety should not be limited to executives or celebrities."

The service is new, but more integrations are being added as the app is built out.

Who it's for: Individuals who want to try out free, mobile-first data removal. Enterprise plans are available to limit exposures, but they are expensive.

Who should look elsewhere: Anyone who isn't a U.S. resident, as the service is not yet available outside of the U.S.. The app is also only available on iOS.

Existing users will be able to transition from their old accounts this year. Customer feedback indicates that Kanary's service is reliable, reports are clear and concise, and the service is valuable for the money. Let's hope the same can be said for the new venture as it grows.

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Privacy Bee can track where your information is and act on your behalf to remove it from companies you don't trust, as well as data brokers.

Why we like it: The service checks and monitors search results to remove sensitive information. You can also download a browser extension that displays the relationship of your data with the sites you visit.

Also: Most secure browsers for privacy in 2025

The company can also remove you from marketing databases to reduce the volume of spam and mass emails you receive and takes a proactive approach to handling your information. Privacy Bee will leverage applicable laws, including CCPA and GDPR, to enforce removal requests.

Who it's for: Anyone who wants comprehensive data deletion with a focus on enforcing data removal from brokers and other third parties.

Who should look elsewhere: Anyone who wants a budget-friendly option for data removal, as it can quickly become expensive.

Pricing begins at around $96 per year on an essential plan, an up-front cost that may deter some customers. If you need expedited data removal, the Privacy Bee Signature plan is approximately $800 on a one-year term. Family and business plans are also available. Reviews still suggest that the service is secure and thorough.

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DuckDuckGo has a longstanding and respected attitude to consumer privacy. It began as a search engine and later extended to a dedicated browser. Now, the company has released a VPN and additional privacy-related services, including a personal data removal service.

Why we like it: You can take advantage of a VPN, data removal service, and ID protection in one package. While I have been a fan of DuckDuckGo for many years, this recommendation has a few caveats. Trustpilot ratings are low, and some users have complained about the VPN's server selection and lack of advanced features. Still, you can use the VPN on up to five devices simultaneously.

There are issues that need ironing out, but if your focus is on choosing a company with a pedigree in user privacy with data removal services as a bonus, check it out.

Also: Best malware removal tools in 2025 & best antivirus

Who it's for: DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro is worth considering if you want an all-in-one option that combines a virtual private network (VPN), data removal service, and identity theft protection.

Who should look elsewhere? Anyone outside of the U.S., the E.U., or Canada, as this service is not currently fully available internationally. If you want data removal, you must be a U.S. resident.

The combined service costs $10 per month or $100 for an annual plan.

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Reputation Defender by Norton is a tailored service offered to individuals, professionals, executives, and businesses.

Why we like it: This service differs from our other recommendations. It's a personal offering that focuses on managing and cleaning up reputations. This could include online data removal and information deletion held by data brokers as well as people-search websites.

Norton's offering includes data management, reputation management, personal branding assistance, privacy alerts, regular scanning, and search result management.

Also: Best password manager for business

Who it's for: Individuals who need tailored, custom protection for their reputation and associated assets, or needs ongoing, custom protection for their business. The company offers a free consultation, and customers say the support team handles sensitive situations well.

Who should look elsewhere: Anyone who does not need individual consultancy and protection. If you're looking for quick data removal and you don't need advanced, expert help, seek another solution.

Prices for Reputation Defender by Norton are available upon request, as the work is personalized to your circumstances.

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Below, you will find some of the main features of each of my recommendations.

Best data removal service	Price	Conducts data removal/opt-out requests?	Free trial?	Personalized solutions?
Incogni	$8.29+ per month	✓	X	X
DeleteMe	$8.71+ per month	✓	X (scan only)	X
Kanary Copilot	Free (consumer)	✓	Free plan	X
Privacy Bee	$96 per year	✓	X (scan only)	X
DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro	$10 per month	✓	✓	X
Reputation Defender by Norton	On request	✓	X	✓

Choose this top data removal service...	If you want…
Incogni	My top pick for an affordable solution to protect yourself and your data. Incogni provides a one-stop-shop solution for data protection and managing data brokers.
DeleteMe	To have information removed from search engines. You submit the information you want removed, and DeleteMe will do the rest. DeleteMe is a great choice for in-depth data removal.
Kanary Copilot	A free data removal service. While only available on iOS at the moment, you can take advantage of Kanary's new, free app to tackle data leaks and automate data removal requests.
Privacy Bee	To choose what companies you trust. PrivacyBee allows you to select companies you are comfortable holding your data, as well as select organizations that you want to delete your information from their records.
DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro	A combined service including a VPN, data removal, and identity theft restoration. It's offered by a trustworthy company with a long history of protecting user privacy, although some issues still need to be ironed out.
Reputation Defender by Norton	A reputation manager. Reputation Defender is best suited to high-profile individuals and businesses that need constant data leak monitoring and reputation protection.

When choosing the best services for deleting yourself from the internet, I considered several factors, including:

Price: While selecting the best services, I wanted to provide various options, including affordable subscriptions and plans. Depending on your needs, signing up can be a long-term investment, so I have included a variety of data removal solutions with different price points and contract periods.
Removal: I focused on services that can scan, monitor, and check online databases and data broker repositories for your personal information and then work on your behalf to have it removed. After all, if you're paying for a service, you should be able to expect the challenging parts of the process to be handled for you.
Protection: The services listed above also include protective features that may reduce the likelihood of personalized spam calls and phishing emails, as well as trolling, stalking, or identity theft. You may also want, for example, to combine automatic data removal with data breach alerts and antivirus software.
Frequency: I also ensure that our recommended services can conduct frequent scans on your behalf. While you may want one check and deletion session, our information is constantly changing hands, which means that your data could reappear online eventually.
Reports: The services I recommend will often provide reports with each scan to keep you updated on where your data was found, what has been deleted, and potentially what your next steps should be.
Free trials and features: I have included data removal solutions that offer free reports and snapshots of your data exposure, allowing you to make the right choice before signing up for a plan. While free trials are uncommon, some of my recommendations offer free, limited plans or trial periods.

Latest information on data removal services in 2025

These are some of the latest headlines in the data removal, data breach, privacy, and cybersecurity industries:

SK Telecom shares fell following a data breach caused by a cyberattack in April.
There is a rush to save decades of U.S. government-held data on scientific topics, including climate change and the environment.
Africa's largest mobile network, MTN, has reported a data breach.
VeriSource has revealed a data breach it suffered in 2024 has impacted approximately four million people.

Data removal services and similar software or digital service plans, are not likely to come under fire directly due to tariff changes. This doesn't mean they are fully protected against market changes, as any potential rising costs for equipment and network infrastructure may be passed on to consumers. Research and new product development may also be impacted.

At the time of writing, a temporary exemption for smartphones, laptops, and other consumer electronics is in place, which means that the White House's tariffs won't impact the price you pay for now.

You can take numerous steps to stop your name from appearing in internet search results and through engines, including Google and Bing, but it can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Below are some steps to help you get started.

Use a search engine: Your first action should be to type in your name, nicknames, and online handles into search engines. This step will reveal the information that anyone can easily find on you and can help you plan your next steps like which companies to contact for data removal or what accounts to delete.
Lock down or delete social media accounts: Deletion is the nuclear option, but most social media platforms will have the option to stop your profile from appearing in search engine results. As our profiles -- even if they are publicly limited -- contain our photos, full name, and more, removing them from search engine queries can help reduce our online footprint. For step-by-step guides, visit Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Delete old, unused accounts: Whether it's shopping sites, social media networks, or forums, each service you use -- or have used -- may tie your online identity to your personally identifiable information (PII). All of this could be at risk if a data breach occurs. If you do not want to use a dedicated service, consider going through your email and password managers to find active accounts. You will need to access them and request removal manually.
Clean up forum posts: Forums can often be overlooked, but if someone finds out the handles you commonly use, they may be able to find content connected to you. This could now be utterly irrelevant to the person you are today or embarrassing if exposed. Delete old forum posts and preferably remove your accounts entirely.
Contact webmasters: If you have old accounts that do not have auto-delete features, contact webmasters directly to have your profiles and data deleted. This process will likely be more straightforward if you are in an area covered by regulations such as the E.U.'s GDPR.
Request that people finder websites delete your information: People finder websites can be used as "search engines" to look up someone based on their name, phone number, and other personal information, which can be a privacy nightmare. Opting out and forcing the removal of your information from these organizations, which may buy it from data brokers, can be a challenging process to perform manually as it may require contacting each service individually to negotiate. If these organizations prove difficult, deletion could also require understanding applicable privacy and data protection laws to enforce your requests. Consider using a service such as Incogni or DeleteMe to do the legwork for you.
Deactivate email accounts: Our email accounts tend to be the core platform that ties your digital profile together, but once they're gone, they're gone. When you are ready, delete your email accounts, which will break the common threads between your online services. Only take this step if you are sure.

You can, but the process is limited, and your request may be rejected if the company doesn't believe there are grounds for removal.

You will need to contact Google using this form, requesting to remove information you see or asking to prevent information from appearing in Google search results. Removal requests can also be made for:

Exposed personal identifiable information (PII)
Explicit images, including adult content
Involuntary, fake pornography
Images of minors
Information from websites with "exploitive" removal practices, such as those that demand payment

In some cases -- for example, a request to remove links to law enforcement statements or media articles concerning an individual and a prosecution -- Google may refuse, as such information could be in the public interest. If Google refuses, it will provide a reason for its decision.

There are numerous ways you can protect your identity online. Experts recommend securing personal information, locking down your social media accounts to friends and connections only, using antivirus software, regularly updating programs and software, and changing your passwords regularly.

Furthermore, if you find "clones" of your identity such as a fake Facebook or dating app profile, ensure you report the fake account to associated online services.

If you suspect your data has been leaked online, use the Have I Been Pwned service to see if you have been involved in any data breaches.

You'll have to follow some basic steps to remove your name from social media. First, change your name to a nickname or surname that isn't linked to your true name. This should ensure that photos or linked content will also change.

Next, switching all of your content to private can keep it away from search engines and individual search queries. You can also delete all of your accounts and potentially file a Google request to remove content connected to you. This will not always be accepted, especially if such information is considered in the public interest or a deletion request is believed to be without true cause.

The majority of search engines will log your search queries, and some will use this information to tailor ads and recommendations. If you want to keep your search queries hidden, I recommend using DuckDuckGo. The service which offers a free search engine that does not log your activities or use its browser for extra privacy.

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused company that does not store your information and also allows you to anonymously use modern online tools including AI chatbots.

The easiest way is to visit Troy Hunt's HaveIBeenPwned to see the vast troves of data posted online due to company data breaches. Once you have entered your email address, the search engine will reveal if you have been involved in any third-party information leaks. You should consider checking every so often to ensure you are aware of any new data breaches.

There's no easy way and unfortunately it is often outside our control.

Instead of chasing removal, the best thing you can do is to see what information has been leaked and make it redundant. For example, if an email and password combination for an online service has been exposed, change it immediately for that service -- as well as any other platforms using the same set -- and never use that combination again. Using multi-factor authentication can also prevent your online accounts from being compromised.

It is worth it as online threats, phishing, and impersonation are now permanent problems in our lives. This may be especially true for anyone who grew up oversharing and before we understood that once something is online, it is usually there forever. If you want to mask problematic information and cut the links that connect you between different online services, investing in a personal data removal service -- at least, for a while -- is worth the cost.

Other data removal services worth considering

In our April update, we overhauled our recommended services and completed substantial copy changes, including a new news section and notes on tariffs.

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