How Spokeo Collects, Sells, and Shares Your Personal Data
Spokeo
Spokeo is a prominent people search engine that aggregates personal information from a multitude of public and private sources. The platform compiles data such as contact details, social media profiles, wealth indicators, location history, and criminal records, creating comprehensive profiles accessible to its users. This extensive data collection raises significant privacy concerns for individuals aiming to protect their personal information.
URL
spokeo.com
Support Email
spokeo.com/optout
Type of Data Broker
People Search
Aggression level
High
What Spokeo collects and why it puts your privacy at risk
-
This company is listed in our Top 100 Most Aggressive Data Sellers based on sensitivity and reach.
-
Collects and sells basic details like your name, address, phone number, and email address.
-
Collects and shares information about your family members, relationships, and household makeup.
-
Collects and monetizes data related to your income, spending habits, debts, and financial status.
-
The company’s practices pose a heightened risk for identity theft, scams, discrimination, and profiling.
-
Collects and distributes your work history, job titles, company affiliations, and professional connections.
-
Tracks your browsing habits, online searches, shopping behaviors, and content preferences.
-
Tracks and sells your location history, movements, and device-based geolocation data.
The risks shown are based on the types of personal data this company collects, sells, or shares.
Even limited data collection can expose you to serious privacy threats.
How to Opt Out and Remove Your Data from Spokeo
Spokeo provides an opt-out mechanism through its website, allowing individuals to request the removal of their personal information. The process involves locating your profile on Spokeo, submitting a request via their opt-out form, and verifying the request through email. While the company states that profiles are removed within 72 hours, users have reported that data may reappear over time, necessitating repeated opt-out requests.
For detailed instructions, view our Opt-Out Guide.
Enroll in mePrism Privacy to ensure continuous monitoring and removal from Spokeo and other brokers.
Spokeo Privacy Risks and How to Remove Your Personal Data
How Spokeo Aggregates Personal Data
Spokeo compiles data from various public and private sources, including government records, social media platforms, marketing databases, and other online directories. By aggregating this information, Spokeo creates detailed profiles that encompass a person's contact details, family connections, financial status, and more. This extensive data collection enables users to access a wealth of information about individuals, often without their knowledge or consent.
Automated Data Collection Methods
The platform employs automated tools and algorithms to continuously harvest and update information from its sources. This includes web crawlers that scan the internet for new data, as well as partnerships with data providers that supply updated records. These methods ensure that Spokeo's database remains current, but they also contribute to the persistence of personal information on the site, even after opt-out requests have been made.
Challenges in Data Removal
Removing your data from Spokeo can be a challenging and ongoing process. Even after successful opt-out requests, information may reappear due to the platform's continuous data aggregation practices. This cycle can be frustrating for individuals seeking to maintain their privacy. Privacy services like mePrism offer assistance by managing opt-out requests across multiple data brokers, monitoring for reappearances of personal information, and providing guidance on maintaining online privacy.
Companies like Spokeo are selling your data right now.
Most data brokers make opting out difficult or impossible. We locate your exposed data, remove it, and continue monitoring as new brokers are added.
Create your free account now to see where your data is exposed and begin securing your privacy.
What our Customers are saying
