As a data engineer, I recently had the opportunity to test DeleteMe, a company that claims to remove personal information from the internet. Founded in 2010, DeleteMe is one of the oldest companies in the data removal space, and it works by contacting data brokers on behalf of its users to remove their personal information, including mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. I used DeleteMe since January and noticed a reduction in unsolicited marketing calls and a cleaner online presence. I also tested Incogni, a competitor, and observed similar results. Both services rely on contacting data brokers and requesting the removal of personal information, but the degree of cooperation from these brokers is often murky due to the lack of comprehensive federal regulations in the US. DeleteMe and Incogni provide dashboards to track progress, but they differ in their approach. DeleteMe takes a more surgical approach, prioritizing quality over quantity, while Incogni casts a wider net. According to Jason Dalrymple, a DeleteMe executive, this approach can actually exacerbate the problem by sending user information to unnecessary databases. When evaluating the efficacy of these services, it's essential to consider the technical architecture and system design decisions. DeleteMe's approach may be more effective in the long run, as it focuses on removing information from relevant databases rather than blindly sending requests to a large number of brokers. Ultimately, using a data removal service like DeleteMe or Incogni requires a long-term commitment, as removing personal information from the internet is a complex and ongoing process. By understanding the technical trade-offs and engineering decisions behind these services, users can make informed decisions about their online privacy.

Source: Wired gear