January 2025

Data Deletion Gone Mad

Blind Opt-Outs are BAD for Privacy

Over the past couple years I've learned a lot about the data broker/data removal industry and honestly...it's been really sad. Here are two examples of how data deletion can actually damage your privacy instead of improve it:

​the WRONG way to Delete Personal Info Online →​

Go Deeper: there are different types of personal information online that you might want to delete. Some of it can be done by a data removal service like DeleteMe, while others you have to do manually.

Delete Facebook? Facebook's data collection is absolutely crazy. Here's what you can do about it. ​Facebook Tutorial →​

Amazon Tracking It's hard to remove data that Amazon collects on you. Here's what you need to know: ​Amazon Data Tracking →​

Data Removal isn't Black & White

Hi [CORRECTED_NAME GOES HERE], I get emails all the time from people asking me how they can get data removed from Facebook, Google search results and even the dark web.

The truth is...it's a lot harder than it sounds.

Most data deletion services - including DeleteMe which I recommend - can only do so much. Mostly, they're able to scour known data broker websites to find and remove your personal information there.

But everything else?

Facebook requires you to go in and make requests yourself and removing search results in Google means hiring a reputation management service (and it's $$$). As for the dark web, there's a reason it's called "dark".

Honestly, there is no service out there that can just erase you from the internet. That means a lot of manual labor on your part, but also a focus on better data privacy moving forward.

Sponsored by:

DeleteMe (20% off) One important part of removing your data online can be automated, and it could save you hundreds of hours of manual removal requests. I have used DeleteMe for 4 years now and recommend it to anybody who cares about data broker privacy. Get 20% off DeleteMe!

or visit JoinDeleteMe.com/allthingssecured

This Week in Privacy News

​Apple Challenges UK's "Back Door" Order​

Remember how the UK government forced Apple to stop encrypting data for its citizens? Yea...that story is still ongoing and Apple is making legal moves to stop it.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-appeals-overturn-uk-governments-back-door-order-financial-times-reports-2025-03-04/

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Malware on 1.6 MILLION Android TVs?​

Security researchers have found a new variant of a known malware that's recruiting Android TV devices to its evolving malware botnet. Here's what you need to check.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2623327/new-botnet-malware-infects-1-6-million-android-tv-devices-worldwide.html
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​New AI-Powered Scam Detection for Android​

Google is introducing a new feature that can detect conversational scams done via phone call or message to let users know they're being duped. But wait...doesn't that require Google to listen in on your calls?

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/google-new-ai-scam-detection/

Staying Private

Whether you're using a data deletion service or not, all of us need to do a better job with how we give out our personal information on the internet. My advice? Be stingy.

✌️

Josh

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3824 Cedar Springs Rd #801-8170, Dallas, TX 75219
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