Duke Data Brokerage Project cites mePrism in CFPB submission on consumer data exposure
Publication and Date
Response from Duke University’s Data Brokerage Research Project to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), July 2023
Introduction
In July 2023, the Data Brokerage Research Project at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy submitted formal comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau examining how data brokers collect, package, and sell Americans’ personal information. Within this comprehensive filing, the researchers cite mePrism among a small set of companies offering tools to help consumers remove their data from people-search websites and data broker networks.
Excerpt Summary
In their submission, Duke’s team notes that “there are some companies that attempt to assist consumers with removing their information from people-search websites, such as DeleteMe, Incogni, IDX, and mePrism.” They go on to explain that while such services provide meaningful short-term help, “commercializing the failures of privacy protection should not be the long-term solution” and that stronger privacy laws are essential to prevent data from simply being repopulated after removal. Read the full document on Duke’s Tech Policy Lab site.
Authority
The Data Brokerage Research Project, housed within Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, is one of the most respected academic teams studying the data brokerage ecosystem. Led by privacy expert Justin Sherman, the group’s research informs federal and state policy efforts around surveillance, consumer risk, and regulatory reform. Their decision to highlight mePrism places our work within a broader policy conversation about responsible data practices and individual control.
Broader Relevance
The mention reflects a critical tension in the privacy landscape: consumers need practical tools to reclaim control over their data, but those tools alone cannot solve the systemic issues driving large-scale personal data trading. As the CFPB continues to investigate data brokers, the Duke filing underscores how companies like mePrism help fill a crucial gap until stronger regulatory safeguards are in place.
Closing
Being recognized in Duke University’s formal submission to the CFPB reinforces mePrism’s role as part of the emerging infrastructure that helps individuals push back against uncontrolled data collection. We remain committed to helping people reduce data broker exposure, strengthen identity protection, and build lasting privacy rights. Explore the full Duke report and learn more about how mePrism empowers consumers to take back control of their personal information.