Data Brokers:
Who Are They and
Why Are They a Threat to Your Privacy?
Your personal information is being used to fuel a much larger profile. Companies exist solely to sell this information to other organizations and know a staggering amount of personal details about you.
About Data Brokers
If you’ve ever Googled yourself, you know that images and content shared on social platforms can be linked to your online identity. But did you know that your personal information is being used to fuel a much larger profile and that companies exist solely to sell this information to other organizations and groups? These data brokers, as they are called, have been spying on all of your online activities for years and know a staggering amount of personal details about you as a result.
What’s even more concerning is what they do with this information, they package it up and sell it to companies, government agencies, and individuals without your explicit permission.
As the world grows increasingly digital and people conduct even more activities online, data brokers will have access to greater amounts of information. That’s why now is the time to learn more about them, and what you need to do to limit their access to your personal data. Here, we’ll shed light on the murky data broker industry and what you can do to address this growing privacy threat.
IDShield Protection
Features Include
- Dark web surveillance
- Unlimited consulting with fraud experts
- 24/7 access for emergency support
- Monthly credit score tracker
- Support with credit report disputes
- Scan your social media for unwanted images and posts
- Watch your financial accounts for unwanted activity
What Information Do Data Brokers Collect?
One data broker claims to have files on 10% of the world’s population with up to 1,500 pieces of information on any single person. This data can be culled from public records and private sources such as government records, census forms, online and offline purchase history, and Web browsing behavior. From these and other sources, data brokers can easily put together a profile that includes income, education, occupation and real estate transactions, in addition to demographic data and contact information.
How Can You Stay Safe?
One of the most challenging things about data collection is that changes to your personal behavior can only do so much. It’s important to read all privacy policies carefully before you provide consent but, even then, data brokers still have a wealth of your personal information from other sources. New data is generated about you every time you purchase from a new retailer, move to a new address, change jobs, or just open your web browser to begin a new search.
IDShield can help you fight back against data brokers by getting your personal information deleted from their databases. In addition, by continually monitoring these sites, our team ensures that any new information is removed as soon as it surfaces.
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