How to remove personal information from the internet: A guide for 2025

While sharing some personal information may be the price of living online, many data centers store your details without your knowledge, which makes protecting your data a near-impossible task. While you can’t completely erase yourself from the internet, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint with a little effort and know-how.

To help you prevent your personal information from being widely accessible online, I’ve compiled a list of common data storage sources along with practical tips for removing your information from each. I followed each step during my research and included estimated setup times to give you a clear sense of the effort required.

1. Remove your personal information from data broker sites

Time commitment: 5 minutes or more for each site

Data broker sites hold extensive personal information and sell it to advertisers, financial institutions, and insurance companies, which use it for targeted marketing or to build risk or health profiles. People search sites like Whitepages are part of this ecosystem, collecting details from public records and social media to resell. Data brokerage is a booming industry, projected to exceed $450 billion by 2031.

The opt-out process varies by data broker but typically takes about five minutes per site. Reputable brokers provide dedicated pages — often labeled “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” or “Opt Out” — where you can review how your data is used and request its removal.

Some data brokers don’t have an automatic process for opting out, so you’ll have to write an opt-out request manually. The site Yourdigitalrights can help you draft an appropriate letter and follow up according to the state or country where the organization is based.

Unfortunately, once your information’s leaked onto the dark web, it’s nearly impossible to remove, so keeping it off Google Search and the surface web is your best bet.

2. Scrub personal information from Google Search

Time commitment: 10 minutes or more

Google is the world’s most widely used search engine, processing nearly 200,000 searches every second. Its free services — like Gmail, Google Docs, and more — are used by millions daily. How do they keep these services free? By collecting and monetizing your personal information.

Fortunately, Google does offer some tools to help you reduce your visibility in search results:

• Use Google’s Results About You page to search for personal information and request its removal.
• Submit a request through Google’s removal tool to take down personal information from search results.
• Tap the three dots next to any personal info you find in the Google App and select “Request removal.
• Use this dedicated form to request the removal of personally identifiable information that could be used for doxxing.

Removing your data from Google can help reduce exposure, but it won't eliminate your presence from the internet entirely — especially if you’re active on social media, run a business, or are a public figure. For continued protection, consider using monitoring tools to track when new personal information appears online.

3. Use an online privacy monitoring tool

Time commitment: Sign up in a few minutes

Tracking down data brokers, submitting takedown requests, and uncovering where your personal information is being shared can quickly become overwhelming. If you want to better protect your data without the heavy lifting, consider using a dedicated privacy tool like Privacy Monitor by Norton to identify and remove personal details exposed online.

Just one of the cutting-edge features included in the Norton 360 Deluxe cybersecurity suite, Privacy Monitor scans popular people-search websites and assists you in submitting opt-out requests to reduce your digital footprint and help prevent your information from being purchased or exploited.

4. Remove pictures of yourself from Google Images

Time commitment: 15 minutes or more

No one wants an unflattering photo of themselves popping up in searches, or a good photo to be used to catfish others. Deleting photos of yourself from your social media profile is as easy as deleting the photo, but deleting photos hosted by third parties is more difficult.

To remove pictures of yourself from Google Images:

• Remove outdated information and images from websites that appear on Google Search results pages by following this process.
• Change your social media account from public to private, which will stop future photos from being indexed by Google. Delete photos from your social media accounts if they’re already indexed and you don’t want them visible.
• Delete any social media images that you no longer want publicly visible and set your accounts to private to prevent future photos from being indexed by Google.
• If you find images that are hosted on third-party sites, find their contact information and request removal. For sites that don’t list contact information, use a domain registration lookup tool like ICANN.

Sites often repost content from other places, so it can be difficult to locate the source. In such cases, you can ask Google for help directly. Take a look at Google’s removal policies, with links to specific removal requests like intimate personal images, deepfakes, or pictures of minors.

5. Blur your home on Google Maps

Time commitment: 5 minutes or more

Along with your home, Google Maps may inadvertently display your face, license plate, or other details you don’t want publicly visible.

To blur your home on Google Maps:

1. Search for your home on Google Maps.
2. Launch Street View.
3. Click the three dots next to the address, and select Report a problem.
4. Fill out the form, specify what you want blurred, and submit the request.

Google can take up to a month to process blur requests, but once approved, the blur is permanent and cannot be reversed. Keep in mind that only residential properties are eligible — Google typically does not blur commercial buildings.

6. Delete personal information from your social media

Time commitment: 10 minutes or more each

From the days of Myspace to modern platforms like TikTok, social media has offered countless ways to share personal information. But the more accounts you have, the greater your risk of data breaches or social engineering attacks.

Even long-abandoned accounts can expose your personal details to data brokers or malicious actors. To reduce your digital footprint, delete sensitive content from active profiles and permanently remove old or unused accounts. This helps limit how much of your information is accessible online.

To delete personal information from social media:

• Search your name to see which sites have results, and check your email account for activation and notification emails.
• Manually search each profile for any sensitive information you may have posted, such as your phone number or address.
• Delete photos you no longer want to share.
• Change your privacy settings from public to private.
• Restrict who can view your profile to limit exposure to only those you trust.
• Delete connections to inappropriate accounts.
• Deactivate or delete accounts that you no longer use.

To delete accounts, follow the instructions that each site provides — deleting Facebook is similar to deleting Instagram, but to delete your X account you have to first deactivate it.

Regular social media cleanups are just one of many social media privacy tips to help you protect your privacy on social media.

7. Review your browser extensions

Time commitment: 5 to 15 minutes each

Browser extensions can enhance your browsing experience, but outdated, defunct, or outright malicious extensions can leak your private information onto the web. You should get rid of extensions that appear sketchy or that you never use.

To review browser extensions:

• Check the developer’s website for each browser extension to see if the extension is legitimate. Usually, they’ll have a professional website and clear contact information.
• Read the browser extension’s description to see if the purpose still aligns with your needs.
• Look for questionable permissions that are unnecessary for that extension, like requests to access your browsing data.
• Read reviews to see if other users have reported issues like bugs or privacy concerns.

On Google Chrome, open the three-dot menu, then Extensions > Manage Extensions to review and remove browser extensions.

8. Uninstall unused apps from your device

Time commitment: 1 to 2 minutes each

Apps on your phone, tablet, and computer often collect and share personal information. If you’ve created an account or allowed behavior tracking, that data could be sold or shared. Some third-party apps’ privacy settings may even permit your device to listen to you.

The more apps you have, the more your personal information is potentially at risk — so get rid of any you don’t use.

Uninstalling apps on iPhone

1. Tap Settings > General > iPhone storage.
2. Scroll to view the list of apps, sorted by size and last used date.
3. Tap any unused app > Delete App > confirm Delete App again.

You can also enable the Offload Unused Apps feature in this section to offload all unused apps, while keeping the data on your phone in case you want to reinstall them later.

Uninstalling apps on Android

1. Tap Settings > Apps (or Apps & notifications on some devices).
2. Tap See all apps (if needed).
3. Scroll through the list and look for apps you haven’t used recently.
4. Tap the app > Uninstall > confirm OK or Uninstall.

Uninstalling apps on Windows 10 and 11

1. Open the Control Panel, then click System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
2. Scroll to the “Unused apps” section and review the list.
3. Select the apps you want to remove.
4. Click Clean up to uninstall the selected apps.

Uninstalling apps on Mac

1. Open Finder, then go to the Applications folder.
2. Browse through the list to find unused apps.
3. Drag any unwanted app to the Trash, or Right-click > Move to Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to permanently remove the apps.

Deleting unused apps is computer and mobile security 101. But before uninstalling, make sure your personal data has been removed from the app’s servers by deleting your account first. And before downloading any additional apps, learn how to spot a fake app designed to harvest your data.

9. Delete old email accounts

Time commitment: 10 to 30 minutes each

Old email addresses you don’t monitor increase your digital footprint, and are sitting ducks for third parties to hack into. From communications with trusted friends and loved ones to shopping, healthcare, banking details, and other sensitive information, compromised email accounts can cause major damage. You can usually delete email accounts via the settings in your account.

It’s also important to remove your email address from public websites so that they can’t be used by scammers to target you with phishing emails. Submit opt-out requests to these sites to have your information removed and reduce your visibility.

If you want to be even more secure, learn how to send emails anonymously, or consider getting a private email address.

10. Enable built-in security and privacy features

Time commitment: 10 to 30 minutes

Many websites, devices, and apps have built-in security features to keep you safer and more private online. Encryption is standard for Windows and Apple products, and major Android producers such as Samsung.

Many modern operating systems give you a lot of control over how and when you’re being tracked. Check out the macOS and Windows operating systems’ built-in settings you can use to help improve your privacy. Whenever you get a new device, double-check the security settings and adjust as needed.

Checking app permissions and understanding what data they collect is another crucial part of maintaining your privacy and security. Many apps request access to data or features they don't necessarily need, so review and limit permissions to only what's essential for each app to function.

Further ways to protect your personal information with built-in security features include:

• Using private browsing, like incognito mode, when using a public computer
• Turning on do-not-track features available in your browser
• Using a built-in password manager to secure accounts, along with two-factor authentication
• Enabling a firewall to monitor and filter network traffic
• Hiding sensitive apps from your homescreen and locking them with biometrics
• Enabling remote management to find, lock, or erase lost devices
• Setting parental controls for your children to help prevent them from sharing sensitive data online

Keeping your information from being leaked is difficult, but taking effective steps to protect yourself following a data breach can be even harder.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Select monitors the dark web for your personal data and alerts you if your information is found in a breach, giving you a chance to secure compromised accounts and minimize potential damage. And, if identity theft does occur, a U.S.-based Personal Restoration Specialist will be on hand to help you recover and restore your identity.

11. Clean up old blogs and websites

Time commitment: 10 minutes to several hours

Whether you’re a digital native who’s been using the internet for as long as you can remember or you’re a relative newcomer, chances are you’ve got a bigger digital footprint than you might think. Do a search for your name and check your email accounts for sign-up confirmations for accounts you may have forgotten.

Your outdated information may still be lingering on:

• Personal websites you created to share your thoughts or as a portfolio for your skills
• Former employers’ sites with an outdated team page
• Clubs and organizations you’re no longer a part of that share your name and photo
• Forums you no longer post on where you used your real name

If you’re on any of these sites, email the webmaster and ask them to remove you from the site. Old blogs and sites linked to your email address, phone number, or other personally identifiable information should be unindexed and taken down.

12. Clear third-party cookies

Time commitment: 1-2 minutes per browser/device

Third-party cookies are designed to track your activity across the web. Over time, they compile detailed profiles about you — your identity, location, and browsing habits. So, regularly clearing cookies helps limit this tracking and reduces the amount of personal data collected. It can also boost your device’s performance by removing stored clutter and freeing up resources.

Clearing cookies is easy — just go to the appropriate section in your browser settings, or check out our guides on how to clear cookies on different browsers, or clearing cookies on an iPhone.

13. Make public records private

Time commitment: Several hours

Though some interventions can be done digitally, making public records private often involves calling or even physically going to local offices to show documentation and verify your identity.

Here are some ways to make your public record private:

• Hide your address with a P.O. Box. Using a P.O. Box from your local post office as an address instead of your home address keeps your actual address off many public documents. You can even use a P.O. address on a driver’s license in some states — they will still require your physical address on file in the office.
• Use a different phone number. Instead of using your personal phone number for important documents or business purposes, consider using a free new number from services like Google Voice. It will give you a U.S.-based phone number to use — they’ll need an existing phone number during setup to verify your identity.
• Detach your personal information from public records with an LLC. Transferring ownership of properties you rent or own to an LLC (limited liability corporation) can help keep your personal name off these public records, as the LLC's name will appear instead. Consult with a professional to see if this makes sense for you.
• Visit your local county clerk. Your county clerk’s office holds a wealth of data, including birth certificates, court records, marriage licenses, property deeds, and more. Ask about the possibility of redacting sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, from public documents.

Keep your private information to yourself

Norton 360 Deluxe helps you spot and stop threats before they do damage. With AI-powered scam detection, it flags phishing attempts and fake websites in real time, helping you steer clear of traps designed to steal your sensitive data.

But it doesn’t stop there. By actively scanning the web for your exposed information, Norton gives you the tools to take it down before it’s misused. And with a secure VPN featuring bank-grade encryption, your online activity stays hidden from hackers, advertisers, and even your internet provider.

FAQs

How does personal information get on the web?

Your personal information can end up on the web due to public records, data breaches or leaks, publicly visible info on social media, cookies and online tracking, information indexed by search engines, forums you’ve been active in, successful scam attempts, and old online accounts.

How much does it usually cost to remove personal information from the web?

You can remove personal information from the web for free if you can locate the sources and issue takedown requests. You shouldn’t have to pay any website or company to remove your data, and they must comply if they’re legally obliged to. However, doing it yourself is time-consuming. You can also use services like our Privacy Monitor to search for and monitor your data online.

What kind of information can’t be taken off the web?

Companies are legally allowed to host information that’s part of the public record, such as government or county data, which makes removing it especially difficult. For non-public information, removal typically requires permission from the content owner—unless the content violates a platform’s terms of service or privacy laws.

If your personal information is illegally leaked on the dark web, it’s unfortunately nearly impossible to erase. However, you can protect yourself by monitoring for signs of identity theft and strengthening the security of your accounts.

Is it possible to stay anonymous online?

Staying completely anonymous online is extremely difficult, but you can greatly increase your privacy. Using tools like VPNs, private browsers, encrypted messaging, and limiting data sharing can help. However, most online activity leaves digital traces, so true anonymity requires constant effort and awareness of how your data is tracked online.