How do you prevent being found on online white pages or people finders?

[engineheat]

Let's say you don't want your address or phone number to be found when someone Google your name. There are many sites online that caters to stalkers, some are even paid. Where do these sites get their information and how do you prevent yourself from being found?

I'm talking about sites like whitepages.com, peoplefinders.com, anywho.com, etc

thanks

[SiliconWizard]

Well, I consider those web sites themselves stalkers.

They get their information from a mix of search engines, paid customer databases (yes, surprise, many companies actually sell their customers' info), etc.

Unless they provide a means for you to ask them to remove your information (something that they would offer only if they are forced to by law, depending on your country and the country those sites are based in...), I don't think there is much you can do except harass them until they delete your profile... if you live in the USA and the web site is based in the USA, you may stand a small chance. Maybe.

Unfortunately, even the "right to be forgotten" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_be_forgotten ) that is not much more than just ideas in most cases as of now only really deals with information that could "harm" people. Remains to be seen whether your phone or address could be considered harmful information...

Don't forget that Facebook and the like, even if they don't share such private information (except when they get hacked ), are still already dream land for stalkers...

So good luck and let us know how that goes...

To get you started:
https://www.whitepages.com/data-policy

To me it's unclear whether you have any possibility of having your information deleted, unless you are the one who provided it to them (if I got it correctly...)

[james_s]

There's nothing new here, most people's phone number and address have been listed in the old fashioned phone books for many decades, there's directory assistance on the phone, numerous public records, generally speaking if someone really wants to find you they can.

Most of us are not interesting enough for anyone to care though.

[Stray Electron]

Let's say you don't want your address or phone number to be found when someone Google your name. There are many sites online that caters to stalkers, some are even paid. Where do these sites get their information and how do you prevent yourself from being found?

I'm talking about sites like whitepages.com, peoplefinders.com, anywho.com, etc

thanks

   1. Don't give your name, address, birthdate, phone number or ANY other personal information to every store and every other person that asks for it. Particularly on the internet. Very few of them have any REAL need for it except to sell it to data thieves. 2. When you have to sign a "consent" form write on it that they are NOT to give your name or any other information out to any person or agency whatsoever without your express consent. Otherwise you are giving them your "consent" to use it for all "legal" purposes. That includes selling to telemarketers and the like.  They may ignore it but you've done your best.  Once it gets out there there's not much you can do about it.  2. NEVER give out your social security number except for your employer who will need it for tax purposes. Your SSN is to be used for social security purposes only, that's per US Federal Law. Unless they're paying you and have to report the earnings to the USG, they don't need it!  4. NEVER let anyone photo copy your driver's license. A lot of doctor's offices and the like want to photocopy them and they'll tell you that they are required to do that but tell them to show you the law that requires them to copy it.  The truth is that they are only required to identify you which means that all they need to do is to look at your DL or other identification. But they try to get copies of everyone's DLs so that they know as much as possible about you in case you don't pay your bill.  Unfortunately when the clean out their old files when they shutdown their practice, they usually just throw them in the trash so any dumpster diver can find then and then turn around and sell them to identity thieves.

   Did anyone else note that it was announced today that Facebook as been fined $5B for selling the personal data of many, all or some of it's 2.3 billion customers?  Some fine, about $2 per every victim. I'm sure that Facebook made money at that rate and they've now been absolved of all potential legal liabilities.  Hey! USG, where can I send my $2 and be absolved all of my past potential legal liabilities?

[soldar]

Let's say you don't want your address or phone number to be found when someone Google your name. There are many sites online that caters to stalkers, some are even paid. Where do these sites get their information and how do you prevent yourself from being found?

If you absolutely want to be anonymous then try to not have your name on anything. No credit cards, cash only. Utilities, vehicle, residence, etc, not in your name. No facebook or other social media accounts. You get the idea.

But many people would want to buy on credit, have things in their name, etc. Well, I think it is pretty much impossible these days to maintain anonymity like that. Your information will be gathered and listed.

Also, it gets more and more difficult to live without bank accounts and credit cards because there are many things you can only pay with credit cards.

[james_s]

At least in the USA, if you own property or earn money (pay taxes) your information is out there and available. There's really no way around it unless you want to live completely off the grid.

[ChunkyPastaSauce]

Business entities/shells or trusts

[David Hess]

1. Don't give your name, address, birthdate, phone number or ANY other personal information to every store and every other person that asks for it. Particularly on the internet. Very few of them have any REAL need for it except to sell it to data thieves.

If they insist and it is feasible, then ideally give someone elses name, address, birthdate, and phone number.  I might pick a politician or someone with authority at the FTC.

[soldar]

When I was in America you could pay extra to have your number unlisted. At that time they didn't check anything so I just gave a fake name and no one said anything. I explained the line was in the name of "my niece" or something like that but I would be paying the bills and please send them to my bank account.

I don't know if that would fly today. In any case, the line was still linked to me through the bank account, just not listed in my name. Remember when we had phone books?

[SiliconWizard]

When we had phone books, in many countries (including mine), it was indeed possible to choose not to be listed (usually paying a little extra, yes). I did that at some point in the past and it worked.

It still exists for regular landline and even for mobile phones. You can choose not to be listed. It used to be effective. It's absolutely not anymore. There are so many companies ready to sell customers databases that not being listed from your phone operator(s) has practically no effect anymore.

Yes you can be very cautious about not giving personal info online, but that's impossible in many cases. For instance if you buy stuff online. Sure one way is to have a PO BOX maybe (some people do that), that solves the address issue but shipping companies often still need a phone number. Anyway, even your insurance company can sell your information to third parties. You can't give a fake name and address to an insurance company.

Some companies do offer a choice to the customer when they sign their contracts (then you better read the small letters) to allow or not allow them to sell/share you personal data. But after you've signed, it's too late.

[David Hess]

Some companies do offer a choice to the customer when they sign their contracts (then you better read the small letters) to allow or not allow them to sell/share you personal data. But after you've signed, it's too late.

It is more reliable to just assume they are lying.

[SiliconWizard]

Some companies do offer a choice to the customer when they sign their contracts (then you better read the small letters) to allow or not allow them to sell/share you personal data. But after you've signed, it's too late.

It is more reliable to just assume they are lying.

They could of course not care about your choice. In France, we have a specific institution called CNIL which is there to protect personal data. That helps a little. Not a lot though.

One recent incident:
https://www.clubic.com/pro/legislation-loi-internet/cnil/actualite-865350-cnil-inflige-amende-courtier-active-assurances-atteinte-securite-donnees-clients.html
( https://translate.google.fr/translate?hl=&sl=fr&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.clubic.com%2Fpro%2Flegislation-loi-internet%2Fcnil%2Factualite-865350-cnil-inflige-amende-courtier-active-assurances-atteinte-securite-donnees-clients.html )

[soldar]

In Spain, subject to EU legislation, the situation is ridiculous. We are subject to all these perfectionist laws which are a complex mish-mash that nobody really follows. A clear case of the perfect being the enemy of the good.

There are very precise laws about how private customer information should be protected and not divulged. In reality small businesses just do not have the know-how or the resources.

Pretty much anything you do requires you to identify yourself by showing ID. I go to pay my phone bill in cash, 8 euros. I have to show ID.

I have a tooth ache and go to a dentist to have a tooth pulled. First and foremost I have to be identified correctly. After showing my ID I have to sign papers where I agree that I supplied the information voluntarily, and that I am aware of my rights and responsibilities, and I know where I can go to exercise my rights with respect to this information, etc. etc.

Really, it is ridiculous. And nobody really cares. Pretty much nobody is in compliance. That is the way the country works. If we had to comply with all the bureaucracy we would have to shut the country down.

[David Hess]

Some companies do offer a choice to the customer when they sign their contracts (then you better read the small letters) to allow or not allow them to sell/share you personal data. But after you've signed, it's too late.

It is more reliable to just assume they are lying.

They could of course not care about your choice. In France, we have a specific institution called CNIL which is there to protect personal data. That helps a little. Not a lot though.

The problem as I see it is that they have no skin in the game.  It is not *their* information which gets stolen or misused; it is yours.  And any penalties, if you can enforce them, are less then the benefit they gain by selling your information.

And being an entity with a concentrated political influence while yours is dilute, the laws will more easily reflect their interest rather than yours.

[engineheat]

How about once you move to a new place, you don't update your address for credit cards, banks etc...You use paperless statement anyway.

Honestly, right now every bill (even utility) can be paid online so why can't someone just use a PO box (or a friend's address). And if you always rent instead of buying a house, can this work?

[SiliconWizard]

Yeah. Banks are no major problem if you move. Although it may still be inconvenient not being able to receive any letters from them (it happens on occasion), and if they send one and it gets back to them, they'll harass you till you give them a valid address.

But in many countries, it's a legal requirement to get insurance for your house. How do you do that without giving your new address?
Same for your car's papers. It's normally illegal not to update your info. Maybe you're a little less concerned about this one as it's a public institution...

Really, you can limit the number of companies that hold your current address or maybe phone number(s), but there is no way you can escape the matrix completely unless you live as an ermit.

[Rick Law]

...
   Did anyone else note that it was announced today that Facebook as been fined $5B for selling the personal data of many, all or some of it's 2.3 billion customers?  Some fine, about $2 per every victim. I'm sure that Facebook made money at that rate and they've now been absolved of all potential legal liabilities.  Hey! USG, where can I send my $2 and be absolved all of my past potential legal liabilities?

That is why their stock went UP after the announcement of the $5B fine - Wording may differ from news report to news report, but all along the line of getting away with it almost scot-free.

Personally, I believe if my data is used in a product they sold, they must get my consent in writing (not on line but real signature on paper) before doing so.  If they want to send me an ad based on the fact that I am in say Macy in the local Mall, they can do that.  For for each such ad, they must get my consent in writing before doing so.

[soldar]

How about once you move to a new place, you don't update your address for credit cards, banks etc...You use paperless statement anyway.

Honestly, right now every bill (even utility) can be paid online so why can't someone just use a PO box (or a friend's address). And if you always rent instead of buying a house, can this work?

You'll need to get utilities at the new place. You'll need to stop paying for utilities at the old place.

Many merchants will only ship to the address registered with the credit card.

Many banks, government offices, etc. can require proof of residence like utility bills.

Now with this Real ID thing it would even be a crime to declare a false address in any government form.

I am not saying it can't be done but it's probably going to be such a pain that very few people would want to do it.

[soldar]

Personally, I believe if my data is used in a product they sold, they must get my consent in writing (not on line but real signature on paper) before doing so.  If they want to send me an ad based on the fact that I am in say Macy in the local Mall, they can do that.  For for each such ad, they must get my consent in writing before doing so.

Ha, ha. Good luck with that!

[Rick Law]

Personally, I believe if my data is used in a product they sold, they must get my consent in writing (not on line but real signature on paper) before doing so.  If they want to send me an ad based on the fact that I am in say Macy in the local Mall, they can do that.  For for each such ad, they must get my consent in writing before doing so.

Ha, ha. Good luck with that!

Yeah, it is unlikely and it is just a fantasy.  But one can hope... 

That said, something should be done about this expanding intrusion into people's life and privacy.  If nothing is done, the freedom we enjoy would vanish.

Good news is, latest poll by Pew research of American's approval of big-tech shown a big 21% drop from 2015 numbers -- down to 50% overall.  Bad news is: but 54% of Democrats still consider big tech a plus and Democrats control the lower house of Congress.  So, as a nation, we are not there yet but we are getting closer than 2015 by a lot.

UPI July 29: "Poll: U.S. approval of tech companies has fallen 21 percent since 2015"
"The survey found that 50 percent of Americans believe tech companies have a positive impact on the United States, down from 71 percent in 2015 in the wake of major scandals such as Facebook's Cambridge Analytica data breach.

Additionally, negative views of tech companies nearly doubled from 17 percent in 2015 to 33 percent this year, while 18 percent of people said tech companies' impacts had been neither positive nor negative, or offered no opinion, in the most recent poll.
...
..."
^{Link to article: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/07/29/Poll-US-approval-of-tech-companies-has-fallen-21-percent-since-2015/6201564434321/}