Have you ever felt like your phone is ringing off the hook with scam calls, or your inbox is overflowing with spam from companies you’ve never heard of?

If so, you’re not alone—and it’s a sign that your personal information is floating around the internet, likely bought and sold by data brokers. For many Australians, this is more than just an annoyance; it’s a real risk to privacy, security, and even financial wellbeing.



But what if you could take back control? While completely erasing yourself from the internet is a tall order (and, let’s be honest, nearly impossible), there are practical steps you can take to dramatically reduce your digital footprint and make it much harder for scammers and marketers to target you.

Let’s walk through how you can start reclaiming your privacy—without needing a PhD in computer science.

Why Should You Care About Your Online Footprint?
Every time you sign up for a newsletter, enter a competition, or even just browse the web, you’re leaving digital breadcrumbs.

Data brokers collect these crumbs—names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and sometimes even more sensitive information like financial data or health status.



They then sell this information to marketers, political groups, and, unfortunately, sometimes to less savoury characters.

Dr Arash Shanghagi, a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at UNSW, puts it bluntly: ‘This exposure can make you a target. Scammers use this data to make their cons sound legitimate, and identity thieves can use it to wreak havoc on your life. By removing yourself from these databases, you’re not just cleaning up your digital footprint—you’re reducing your attack surface.’

Step 1: Start with Free Tools from Trusted Providers
The first step is to find out what information about you is already out there. Google’s ‘Results About You’ tool is a great place to start.

It scans the web for your name, email, phone number, and address, and lets you request removal if it finds anything concerning. It’s simple, free, and a good way to dip your toe into the world of online privacy.

Also read: Massive data breach exposes 16 billion accounts across Apple, Google and more



Google also offers other privacy tools, like Security Checkup and My Activity, which help you monitor your account for suspicious activity.

But as Dr Shanghagi warns, don’t rely solely on tools from companies whose business model is built on data collection. Google’s tool only removes your info from search results—not from the original data broker sites themselves.

Step 2: Go Deeper with Premium Privacy Services
If you’re ready to get serious, there are paid services like DeleteMe, PrivacyBee, Mozilla Monitor, and Optery. These services scan hundreds of data broker sites and, depending on your subscription, will even request removal of your data on your behalf.

Lawrence Gentilello, CEO of Optery, explains just how deep these data profiles can go: ‘It’s not just your name and address. It can include your real-time location, shopping habits, political preferences, and even health status. This data is packaged and sold to marketers, political groups, and sometimes to anyone willing to pay.’



While most of these services are US-based, they still cover many global data brokers, and can be a valuable tool for Australians looking to protect themselves. Most offer a free scan so you can see what’s out there before committing to a subscription.

Step 3: The Nuclear Option: Delete Your Accounts
If you’re feeling especially privacy-conscious, you can go full scorched earth: delete your social media accounts, unsubscribe from newsletters, and close any online accounts you no longer use.

Some platforms make this easy, while others require you to jump through a few hoops (and maybe even send an email to customer support).

Don’t forget to delete the apps from your devices, and if you want to be extra thorough, contact The Internet Archive to request removal of any archived versions of your data.

Also read: ‘Not available in your region’: what is a VPN and how can I use one safely?



Step 4: Stay Off the Radar—Smart Habits for Everyday Privacy
Not everyone wants to disappear completely, and that’s okay! There are plenty of ways to protect your privacy without going off-grid:

• Use privacy-first browsers like Brave or Firefox, and install ad blockers to reduce tracking.
• Mask your email and phone number with services like Firefox Relay or SimpleLogin.
• Create a separate ‘privacy-first’ identity for online shopping, newsletters, or competitions.
• Be mindful on social media—oversharing is a goldmine for data brokers.
• Avoid ‘Sign in with Google’ or Facebook logins—they link your activity across platforms.
• Regularly check your privacy settings on social media, email, and mobile apps.
• Use a VPN to hide your IP address, especially on public Wi-Fi.
• Opt out of marketing lists and use opt-out tools to remove your info from broker databases.
• Be selective with online forms—don’t give out more information than necessary.

You don’t have to vanish from the internet to protect yourself, but a little effort goes a long way. Whether you want to go all-in or just tighten up your privacy a bit, the tools and tips above can help you take back control of your digital life.

Read next: Most of us will leave behind a large ‘digital legacy’ when we die. Here’s how to plan what happens to it


Have you tried deleting yourself from the internet, or do you have any privacy tips of your own? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!