How Whitepages Collects, Sells, and Shares Your Personal Data
Whitepages
Whitepages is a U.S.-based data broker that operates one of the largest online directories of personal contact information, covering approximately 90% of the adult population in the United States. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Whitepages aggregates data from public records, property deeds, telecom providers, and other sources to build detailed profiles on individuals. These profiles often include names, addresses, phone numbers, age, relatives, and more. The company offers both free and premium services, including background checks and identity verification tools for consumers and businesses.
URL
whitepages.com
Support Email
privacyrequest@whitepages.com
Type of Data Broker
People Search
Aggression level
Critical
What Whitepages collects and why it puts your privacy at risk
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This company is listed in our Top 100 Most Aggressive Data Sellers based on sensitivity and reach.
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Collects and sells basic details like your name, address, phone number, and email address.
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Collects and shares information about your family members, relationships, and household makeup.
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Collects and monetizes data related to your income, spending habits, debts, and financial status.
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The company’s practices pose a heightened risk for identity theft, scams, discrimination, and profiling.
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Gathers and monetizes information about your political views, religious affiliations, and causes you support.
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Collects and distributes your work history, job titles, company affiliations, and professional connections.
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 Whitepages
Whitepages provides an opt-out process through its Suppression Requests page. To initiate removal, individuals must locate their profile on Whitepages, copy the profile URL, and submit it via the opt-out form. The process requires phone number verification through an automated call. While removal requests are typically processed within 24 hours, users have reported that their information may reappear over time
For detailed instructions, view our Opt-Out Guide.
Enroll in mePrism Privacy to ensure continuous monitoring and removal from Whitepages and other brokers.
Whitepages Privacy Risks and How to Remove Your Personal Data
Public Records and Online Sources
Whitepages compiles personal information from a variety of public records, including property deeds, court records, and telecommunications data. Additionally, the company may gather information from online sources such as social media profiles and other publicly accessible websites. This aggregated data is used to create comprehensive profiles that are accessible through their platform.
Automated Data Collection Methods
The company employs automated tools and technologies to continuously collect and update information from various sources. This includes the use of web crawlers and data scraping techniques to extract information from online directories, social media platforms, and other public websites. These methods enable Whitepages to maintain up-to-date records on individuals.
Challenges in Data Removal
Removing personal information from Whitepages can be a challenging process. Even after successful opt-out requests, individuals may find their information republished due to ongoing data collection practices. This cyclical issue highlights the difficulty in maintaining long-term privacy. Utilizing privacy protection services like mePrism can offer a more comprehensive solution by regularly monitoring data broker sites and managing opt-out requests on behalf of users, thereby enhancing personal data security.
Companies like Whitepages 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.
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