by
Block Party
December 29, 2024
Our personal information is scattered across countless online platforms, leaving us exposed to a wide range of privacy risks, from harassment and stalking to identity theft. Among the different types of data being collected, 3rd party data is one of the most pervasive and challenging to manage. But what exactly is 3rd party data, and how can you take steps to minimize its impact and clean up your online presence?
3rd party data is information collected about you by organizations or entities that you don’t have a direct relationship with. Unlike 1st party data, which is information you willingly share with a company (e.g., your email address when signing up for a newsletter), 3rd party data is typically aggregated from multiple sources and sold to advertisers, marketers, and other businesses.
Data brokers and people search engines compile data from public records, social media profiles, online purchases, and more, to create detailed profiles that can include your name, address, email, phone number, and other sensitive information like your court records. This data is often used to target you with ads or is resold to other entities without your explicit consent, and can be exploited for malicious purposes such as doxxing or facilitating targeted harassment campaigns.
3rd party data poses challenges for your physical safety as it reveals not only where you live, but also where your family and other close connections reside. The widespread collection and distribution of 3rd party data make managing it particularly difficult, and the sheer volume means even individuals who are cautious about their online activity can find their information widely accessible, usually without their knowledge or consent.
Minimizing exposure of your personal information from third-party sources is critical in protecting yourself online. With the vast number of data sources out there, removing third-party data can feel overwhelming. However, you can combine several approaches to maximize your privacy and regain control over your personal information:
Many data brokers allow you to opt out of their databases. However, this process is often manual and time-consuming, requiring you to:
Pros: Cost-effective
Cons: Labor-intensive and requires ongoing maintenance
Services like DeleteMe or Incogni can handle opt-outs on your behalf. These services require your personal information to store in their systems so they can submit opt-out requests on your behalf to various data brokers. These services are typically subscription based as they will continually monitor and resubmit these requests, ensuring your data stays removed over time. While these services can save time, they’re not perfect, and it’s often the case that individuals will utilize multiple tools for the best coverage.
Pros: Convenient and time-saving
Cons: Subscription costs and incomplete removal (some brokers don’t honor removal requests)
Search engines are often the first place people look for information about you as listings for various 3rd party data sources are compiled in the results. Tools like Google’s "Results About You" feature allow you to identify search results containing your personal information and submit requests to have those results removed from Google’s index. While this won’t erase the information from the source website, it can significantly reduce visibility.
Pros: Reduces discoverability of your personal information
Cons: Limited to search engine results and doesn’t remove the underlying data
While you’re at it, consider addressing your 1st party data too. 1st party data is information you directly share with a company, such as your name, email, and content like photos and posts, which can be even more valuable and accessible than data collected by third-party brokers.
Block Party’s tools help you deep clean your social media accounts, notifications, and privacy settings with ease. Whether you're unfriending outdated connections, securing your settings, or reducing unwanted exposure, Block Party automates the process to keep you protected.
By taking proactive steps to manage both 3rd party and 1st party data, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint and have more control over how your personal information is used.
