Clark is one the fiercest lawmakers in the nation when it comes to our collective digital dignity, and she joined us this week to talk about that. 

Why Your Data Matters

Attorney General Clark laid out two core reasons you should care about data privacy. First, it’s arguably a foundational right. The Constitution protects your reasonable expectation of privacy, which, again, arguably, includes the freedom from surveillance. The second reason is more practical. Whether we’re talking about health records or location history, your data is a goldmine for scammers and criminals.

Highlighting how our information is easily re-purposed in the commission of identity theft, scams, and extortion, Clark is not just floating some abstract idea: Our personal information makes us vulnerable. 

Swagger Eats Ethics for Breakfast

The conversation veered into some wild territory, starting with Attorney General Clark’s view of the current administration’s hiring practices. Focusing on a Trump Administration hire that wasn’t even Googled before being given access to highly sensitive data, Clark calls to question best practices. 

“The average person knows you don’t even go on a date with someone until you Google them,” she quipped. This “swagger,” as Clark calls it, is a dangerous component in the rapid evolution of technology like cryptocurrency and AI, where the drive for innovation and market dominance often eclipses ethical considerations. 

The disregard for privacy goes hand-in-love with the above tendency, extending to the bizarre world of meme coins and beyond. 

AI and Deepfakes

Clark thinks the biggest threat to our privacy may be the runaway train that is artificial intelligence. The technology is advancing so fast that it’s out-pacing legislation in a crony-driven  environment where a 10-year ban on state-level AI regulation was recently buried in a recent federal statute–and thankfully scuttled before that bill was signed into law. 

Clark pointed to Europe’s proactive “AI Act” as a potential model, noting that their historical and political experiences have fostered a greater emphasis on data privacy.

Under her leadership, Vermont is looking to expand revenge porn statutes to include AI-generated deepfakes. 

Enter the shadow of AI chatbots and romance scams, “the romance scam using AI chatbots is a deadly combination and it is coming,” Clark warned. “You know, the idea that I could literally be living my life, making a sandwich, doing whatever I want…[and] my evil AI bots could be romancing victims by the thousands.”

The Kids Aren’t Alright 

We also talked about the privacy of children. A significant privacy paradox is that parents consent to data collection through school-mandated educational technology (EdTech) apps.

“Violation of privacy has been so normalized that people think they’re being like a Karen if they say, ‘No, I don’t want that information shared about my kid,'” Clark pointed out. 

Collective Responsibility

Our privacy is at risk, and we’re all complicit. Through our online behavior and willingness to share information, we participate in the erosion of our own privacy. The couple caught on the Jumbotron at that Coldplay concert we talked about a few episodes ago provides a perfect example: they weren’t identified by a big corporation or the government, but by fellow citizens using publicly available data. We have all become participants in a culture of mutual surveillance.

Attorney General Clark is not without hope. She believes a shift in awareness is possible. She advocates for a society where individuals can experience freedom without ambient surveillance, where private companies are held to the same standards we expect of our government, and where “minding your own business” is not just a quaint Yankee notion but a protected right.

In the wake of this scam, Westbrook launched an executive-level investigation into the true scope of cybercrime worldwide, revealing that these “isolated events” are part of something much bigger—a national security crisis.

The New World War is Financial

According to Westbrook’s research, scams hit an estimated 21 million Americans annually with a staggering 57,000 people per day affected. These aren’t just small-time crimes. Transnational criminal syndicates operating from organized compounds in Southeast Asia are waging war on Americans. 

Westbrook related a story about a Chinese crime boss who was heard leading his workers in a chant: “Cripple the economies of the U.S. and Europe. This is World War III.” 

The sheer volume of attacks and the immense financial scale, pose a direct threat to the U.S. economy. 

Data from organizations like the FBI and FTC show that the losses, while often underreported, amount to billions of dollars annually. A recent study by the Common Sense Institute estimated that financial fraud in a single U.S. state, when both reported and unreported losses are considered, could result in billions of dollars in lost GDP and thousands of jobs. At a fundamental level, these losses could present a problem for governmental management of public resources and the maintenance of economic stability.

Also discussed in this episode: the ubiquitous “overdue toll” text message scam. While they seem like a minor annoyance, these SMishing attacks are part of a massive smishing scam linked to Chinese cybercriminals managing the more than 60,000 web domains used to send these texts.

Follow the money

The money pilfered in these attacks isn’t going into showy cars and watches, or at least not exclusively. According to Westbrook, the proceeds are also being used to fund serious global threats, including human trafficking and drug cartels producing fentanyl. In a recent episode we talked about the fact that as much as half of North Korea’s missile program is funded by cryptocurrency scams.

So why is this such an “American” problem? Westbrook believe the U.S. has become the “softest target” for these criminals because of lax government response. Unlike the UK and Australia, which have a centralized, national anti-cybercrime strategies (and have seen a decrease in fraud as a result), the U.S. response remains fragmented. He advocates for a systemic approach, including the appointment of a dedicated leader to coordinate efforts and 

What can you do? 

Turns out, there’s a lot you can do. By understanding the common red flags indicating cyber shenanigans—the sense of panic, the urgency, and unusual payment methods—we can protect ourselves. And then there are the proactive measures you can take, like using a data removal service like DeleteMe which may reduce your need to verify unexpected communications, click on fishy links or call numbers quick or else.

Westbrook has a vital wake-up call for us all: vigilance isn’t just about protecting your wallet; it’s about safeguarding your community and fighting back against a global threat by staying informed and sharing what you know about staying safe.

At DEFCON 33, the world’s biggest hacking conference, I saw a scene you may not picture when you think of a hacker convention: average-looking humans (some of them wearing costumes) in competition with each other. The goal: to trick real companies into giving away sensitive information without writing a single line of code. 

Maybe you think of teenagers first. Many people do, and that’s because many hackers started their careers in parent-sponsored (as opposed to state-sponsored) settings: a messy bedroom, a basement play area, an attic.

This year, DeleteMe was sponsoring the Social Engineering Community Village at DEFCON, and I was excited to have a front row seat. But I wasn’t prepared to see teenagers barely old enough to vote among the contestants’ ranks. These hackers weren’t engaged in credential stuffing or cracking passwords. There was no malware. They were picking up phones in a soundproof booth, calling real employees at real companies, and convincing them to share details that could later be used to break into a system. No code required. Just confidence, psychology, and the right script. 

Watching them at work, it underscored an old truth in the realm of cybersecurity: the human element is still the biggest vulnerability any of us face.

Teenagers at a hacker convention was novel, but their presence underscored an important situation. If skilled communicators can talk their way into getting information that can be used to hack an established company with cybersecurity protocols and systems, then nothing is safe. 

One participant–not one of the teenagers, but not an oldster either–explained his strategy bluntly: He called businesses in the South because, in his words, “people there are nicer and will stay on the line.” It worked. He got further into conversations simply by exploiting cultural psychology.

That moment stuck with me. It was all about people. And it reminded me that threat actors succeed because humans, under pressure or distracted, tend to react instead of responding to stimuli.

Psychology scales faster than technology

Security teams globally spend billions of dollars on firewalls, intrusion detection, and AI defenses. 

But all it takes is one phone call to a helpful employee willing to share something about the way a company does business, and the whole system unravels. Threat actors know this fact well. 

They don’t need to out-code your company’s engineers. They just need to get someone who works there talking long enough to build trust. 

As I watched those teenagers, I gained a new appreciation for just how fast these skills can be learned and weaponized. 

What happened in that soundproof booth is happening right now in offices, customer service departments, via LinkedIn DM, and in your inbox. In the weird world of social engineering, the helpful IT tech and the frustrated CEO are straight out of central casting. Ditto the IT compliance officer who just needs to “confirm a few details.” 

Human vulnerability is universal. If a teenager can exploit it under pressure in front of an audience, so can a criminal who has all the time in the world. 

Awareness is everything. The moment you see how easy it is for a threat actor to extract and weaponize something as seemingly trivial as the waste management service used at a company, you can’t unsee it. You realize how data points are like so many breadcrumbs guiding threat actors in the commission of crime, one that could be an extinction-level cybersecurity failure. 

And that realization—that human trust can be hacked more readily than any machine—is the first step in protecting yourself.

Let’s be clear: Data brokers operate in a multibillion-dollar industry, profiting from your personal and financial information. This includes details like Social Security numbers, addresses, and even location data. This information is often sold to other companies, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies, frequently without your knowledge or consent.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) had proposed closing a loophole in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which would have finally held data brokers accountable. This rule would have required them to comply with the same privacy rules as credit bureaus and other consumer reporting agencies. The withdrawal of this rule is a major setback.

The justification that this rule would be “harmful to financial institutions’ efforts to detect and prevent fraud” simply doesn’t hold water. Protecting individual privacy and preventing fraud are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the widespread availability of personal data through brokers increases the risk of identity theft and fraud. We’ve seen numerous data breaches at these brokers, exposing millions of people to potential harm.

At DeleteMe, we believe that you have the right to control your personal information. We will continue to fight for stronger privacy regulations and work tirelessly to remove your data from these brokers. This recent decision underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to protect yourself.

What can you do?

• Be aware: Understand that data brokers exist and are actively collecting and selling your information.
• Take control: Use services like DeleteMe to remove your data from broker sites.
• Demand action: Contact your elected officials and demand stronger privacy laws.

This is not the end of the fight. We must continue to advocate for policies that prioritize individual privacy over corporate profits. Your data is not a commodity. It’s time to take back control.

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On March 23rd, the genetic testing company 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This means that a lot of people’s genetic data is about to enter a legal grey zone. 

We recommend that if you are a 23andMe customer, you follow the California AG’s advice and delete your 23andMe account. 

Even if you are not a customer of 23andMe? You’re probably still affected by the bankruptcy of what was, until recently, one of the world’s largest biotech companies.

We’ve covered the data risks of using genetic testing companies like 23andMe before:

• A comparison of different DNA testing companies. 
• Genetic testing privacy policies and how to keep your personal data to yourself if you decide to get a genetic test.

So, here’s what you need to know if you’re worried about your data (or the data of someone close to you). 

What’s Happening to the Genetic Data You Gave to 23andMe?

It’ll probably be sold to a new owner. When you shared your DNA with 23andMe, you effectively gave it to them.

• Learn more: How companies like 23andMe use your data. 

Genetic data from over 15 million people worldwide is 23andMe’s core business asset. 

Just like what happens to any other business asset during bankruptcy, 23andMe’s cache of data is now highly likely to be sold to a new owner​ (as per 23andMe’s privacy policy). You don’t get any say in who this is. 

Experts warn that DNA information isn’t just another data point but a “blueprint” of your biological identity, and its sale could have “far-reaching consequences.”​

23andMe said that its bankruptcy won’t affect how customer data is stored, managed, or protected. 

It also said it would look for a buyer who would share its commitment to customer data privacy. But you have to take their word for it. 

Considering that in 2023, the company disclosed a data breach that impacted 6.9 million customers, that’s not too reassuring. 

Any buyer of 23andMe would need to initially comply with 23andMe’s current privacy policy, but they could change the terms eventually. 

According to Sara Gerke, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law, whoever buys 23andMe’s data could make significant changes to how they protect it. 

A buyer could change the policy to allow for the sharing of genetic data with some types of insurers, like long-term care or disability insurance companies. Data is unlikely to be shared directly with health insurers since that would be a violation of the federal nondiscrimination law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

Plus, as some legal experts have pointed out, whoever buys 23andMe’s data could take away the option to opt out of sharing. Hence why you should opt out now (see how below). 

Isn’t My Genetic Data Anonymized? 

Yes, according to 23andMe, customers’ genetic data is anonymized and stored separately from your other data (e.g., name, address, etc.) 

However, speaking to Al Jazeera, Arthur Caplan, the head of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said: 

“Given the fact that DNA analysis is even better now than it was 10 years ago when all this collection started, they might be able to identify people.”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation also said that genetic data can’t be truly de-identified: 

“Even if separated from obvious identifiers like name, it is still forever linked to only one person in the world. And at least one study has shown that, when combined with data from GenBank, a National Institutes of Health genetic sequence database, data from some genealogical databases can result in the possibility of re-identification.”  

“This Doesn’t Affect Me” 

You don’t even have to be a customer of 23andMe to be impacted. You just have to be related to one.  

As Professor Carissa Veliz, author of Privacy is Power said in a BBC article:

“If you gave your data to 23andMe, you also gave the genetic data of your parents, your siblings, your children, and even distant kin who did not consent to that.” 

The same is true in reverse. 

Even if you take your privacy extremely seriously and wouldn’t dream of handing over your most sensitive data to a company like 23andMe, chances are, someone you know (parents, siblings, children, uncles, etc.) has done exactly that. 

By sharing their data with 23andMe, they’ve also inadvertently shared some of your data, too.  

Law enforcement can use these databases indirectly to identify suspects. Even if a suspect hasn’t submitted their own DNA, police might identify them through relatives who have shared their DNA. 

For example, the “Golden State Killer” was caught in 2018 when police used GEDmatch to link DNA from the crime scene to third cousins. 

That said, 23andMe does not provide law enforcement access to its database. 

In its transparency report, you can see that though authorities tried to get access to the genetic information of 15 people, the company did not produce this data. 

Regardless, non-customers whose DNA is revealed through someone else’s test have very limited recourse. For example, you can’t log in to delete data. 

Genetic Data Protection Laws 

“Isn’t my genetic data protected legally?” 

The answer is complicated. 

At the federal level:

• The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act applies to 23andMe genetic data, preventing insurers and employers from using genetic data to discriminate against you. 
• However, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – the law that most people would think of in relation to genetic data – is not relevant since it applies to healthcare and not direct-to-consumer companies such as 23andMe. 

However, at the state level, many states do have laws that cover genetic testing and data. 

For example, California’s Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits genetic discrimination in employment, housing, mortgage lending, education, and public accommodations.

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, about a dozen US states have consumer data privacy laws that are specific to genetic privacy. Most of these require 23andMe to get consent from consumers before transferring data to someone else in an acquisition scenario. 

Other states have comprehensive privacy laws that give consumers rights to access and delete their data (though there are no protections in cases of mergers, acquisitions, or bankruptcies). 

What To Do Now 

You should probably delete your 23andMe account and/or warn those close to you to do the same. 

If you are a customer of 23andMe, here is exactly what we would advise you to do:

Download your 23andMe data

If you did a 23andMe test, you might as well keep the results by downloading your data. 

Here’s how:

1. Go to 23andMe and log into your account.
2. Click your username.
3. Click “Settings.”
4. Scroll to ‘23andMe Data’ and click “View.” 
5. Download the 23andMe data you want to keep. 

Delete Your 23andMe data and account

Despite what some people are saying, 23andMe is not preventing you from deleting your account. 

If the 23andMe site doesn’t work when you attempt to delete your account (previously, there was such a rush to delete 23andMe accounts that the site crashed), you can contact 23andMe customer support at customercare@23andme.com. 

Otherwise, to delete your 23andMe account, do the following: 

1. Log into your 23andMe account.
2. Click “Settings.”
3. Scroll down to ‘23andMe Data.’ 
4. Click “View.”
5. Scroll to ‘Delete Data.’
6. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
7. Confirm your deletion request via email

After you delete your 23andMe account, your personal information won’t be used for future research (something that about 80% of 23andMe customers gave their consent for), and your genetic samples will be discarded (if you asked the company to store them previously). 

A big caveat 

Even if you delete your 23andMe account, the company may still retain some of your information. 

As per 23andMe’s privacy policy: 

“23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth, and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations … even if you chose to delete your account.” 

Remember to Opt Out of Genealogical Records Sites

Even if you’ve:

• Never taken a DNA test
• Deleted your 23andMe account 

Your information may still be available online in genealogy databases. 

It’s not your DNA, but it’s still your personal information, so take this time to delete yourself from these kinds of sites, too.

If you’re looking for directions, see our step-by-step guides:

• How to opt out of Ancestry.
• How to opt out of Family Tree Search.
• How to opt out of Rootsweb.
• How to opt out of Geni.
• How to opt out of Genealogy.com.
• How to opt out of Ancient Faces.
• How to opt out of FamilyTreeNow.
• How to opt out of Archives.com.

Or, you can subscribe to our data broker removal service to have our privacy experts opt you out of these (and other) sites on your behalf. 

However, many of those laws still fall short of protecting consumers. Individuals often still spend considerable time looking for where their personal information appears online in order to opt out, or alternatively looking for a data privacy service to do that work for them. 

Here’s what consumers and businesses need to know about how privacy services can help them take control of their data. 

Data privacy services are necessary

First, why should anyone consider utilizing a privacy tool or service? Many people may feel they are perfectly able to protect themselves online without the help of any external services. The trouble is, there are plenty of companies that are quick to take your personally identifiable information (PII) and publish it freely on the internet. These companies are called data brokers, and it can take a lot of work from consumers to try to protect their data from these companies. 

Data brokers are largely responsible for the surge in email and text scams, spam messages, and frustrating robocalls that many people experience. This is because data brokers allow advertisers and malicious actors to purchase information indiscriminately, including phone numbers, email addresses, location data, internet activity, and much more. 

Recently, data brokers have come under a lot of scrutiny due to massive breaches to their systems that have exposed personal information to fraudsters. Fortunately, this increased scrutiny has led to a growing number of services focused on protecting consumer privacy and PII. 

Three types of data privacy services

Let’s take a look at some of the protective services that data privacy services offer. While some services offer identity theft alerts, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring, these don’t directly prevent personal data from being collected or exposed, so they fall outside the scope of this article. Instead, most effective privacy services fall into three main categories: information auditing, blanket opt-out services, and comprehensive data removal.

1. Information auditing services

These tools scan your personal records to find where your data is registered or where you’ve signed up for, for example, a subscription service. They then provide you with a list of companies that hold your information and sometimes automate the opt-out process, or they may require you to self-service opt out instead. In other words, many of these tools are focused on helping consumers help themselves rather than actively removing data, and that isn’t always made clear to consumers at the outset. For example, if you have signed up for a newsletter service, these tools can help you see how to prevent that service from sharing your email with other companies, but they don’t always directly opt consumers out of sharing. Examples include Consumer Reports’ “Permission Slip” app and Tall Poppy’s auditing tool. 

2. Blind opt-out services

Blind opt-out services use a “one-size-fits-all” approach by sending blanket data removal requests to a wide range of data brokers, often without verifying if the consumer’s data is present on those sites. This method can result in false positives where the service sends opt-out requests for information that does not belong to the user. 

Additionally, these services may expose personal data unnecessarily, sending unsecured emails with sensitive information to data brokers who may not have had the data in the first place. In some cases, blind opt-outs can create the illusion of action while doing little to effectively remove personal data. 

3. Data removal services

Genuine data removal services, like DeleteMe, take a more rigorous approach to privacy by focusing on accurate, targeted opt-out requests. These services verify the presence of a customer’s data on relevant data broker websites before submitting removal requests, reducing the risk of false positives and unnecessary data exposure. 

Additionally, data removal services prioritize secure communication and employ manual processes when necessary to ensure that the data holders complete the opt-out requests properly. The focus is on reducing the discoverability of personal data from major data brokers and offering a more reliable and secure option for users looking to protect their privacy​.

It’s important to note here that some apparent data removal services are white label services, meaning while they may come under the name of a seemingly reputable company, they are being outsourced to third party providers that might be cutting corners or using blind opt-outs. This means that users of white-label services may also unknowingly be entrusting their sensitive data to companies that lack transparency and sufficient security measures. Always research data removal services thoroughly before signing on. 

Ultimately, until new laws prevent data brokers from collecting and selling your information in the first place, opting out is your best defense against having your PII exposed without your permission. Companies like DeleteMe can help you do so safely and efficiently. 

The future of data privacy

Again, legislation varies from state to state and is constantly changing. And depending on which state you live in, data brokers may or may not have to actually honor opt-out requests. Still, the outlook for data privacy services is improving by the day as more states adopt comprehensive consumer privacy laws, and the possibility of a national consumer privacy law looms large. Make sure you know your rights and find the right data removal service so you can protect your privacy and keep yourself safe online.

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After getting bombarded by personalized ads, I made it my mission to learn how to remove ads from Google Search results. Read on to find out what I’ve learned.

How to Remove Ads from Google Search Results 

The only reliable way to stop seeing ads in Google Search results is to install an ad blocker. 

Ad-blocking software can block many types of ads, including those on Google Search, and there are many free or low-cost options available.

Be aware, however, that not every ad blocker will block ads on Google Search. 

For example, when I used AdBlock, I continued to see ads in Google Search results, but when I switched to uBlock Origin, they were effectively blocked. 

If you opt for this route, do some research to ensure the ad blocker you’re thinking of installing blocks ads on Google Search. 

What Else Can You Do to Stop Seeing Ads In Google Search? 

If you don’t want to install an ad blocker, or if that method doesn’t work for you, you can also try the following. 

Use a different search engine 

Some search engines, like DuckDuckGo and Brave, focus on user privacy and do not show personalized ads or track your search activity, meaning you don’t have to be concerned about personalized advertising. 

DuckDuckGo, Brave, and similar search engines that bill themselves as being “more private” still display ads in their search results based on the keywords you search for. 

However, if you’re used to Google, these search engines might not return the results you’re used to seeing. 

For instance, one reviewer who switched from Google to DuckDuckGo found that it was far less effective at helping him piece together results for which he didn’t have a clear search query. He attributed this to an inferior algorithm that isn’t as clever at interpreting search inputs.

Other privacy-focused search engines are working on actively improving their search algorithm capabilities, such as Swisscows, which relies on Microsoft Bing’s search index but uses advanced semantics-based artificial intelligence to improve its results. That said, some reviewers have pointed out that some data (such as your IP address) is still logged when using Swisscows.

Adjust ad settings (to stop seeing personalized ads) 

As an alternative, you can adjust your Google ad settings to continue using the world’s most popular search engine while seeing less personalized ads on Search and across all of Google’s services. 

To change your ad settings on Google, follow these steps:

1. Go to My Ad Center on Google and sign in if needed.
2. On the upper right side of the screen, you’ll see a drop-down menu next to “Personalized Ads.”
3. Click on the drop-down menu and switch it to “Off.”
4. You’ll see a popup window advising you of the advantages of personalized ads. Click “Turn off” at the bottom. 
5. That’s it! You’ll see a second popup window stating that it could take a while for the change to take effect.

Your Ad Center should now look like this:

According to Google’s Ad Center Help, when you turn off personalized ads, the information/activity saved in your account won’t be used to determine what ads to show you. Instead, the ads you see will be based on general factors like the topic of the website you’re visiting or the time of day. 

Subscribe to Google premium where available

Google offers premium versions of some of its services, such as YouTube Premium, which removes ads from YouTube videos. 

However, there isn’t a direct Google Search premium service that removes ads from search results.

The Best Way to Remove Ads 

The best way to remove ads on Google Search and elsewhere on the web is to install an ad blocker. Make sure to get one that blocks ads on Google Search – not all of them do. uBlock is a good option, but do your own research to ensure it suits you. 

Something to note is that just because you stop seeing ads (or personalized ads, at least), that doesn’t mean your personal data is not being sold to advertisers. In fact, data brokers (such as Whitepages, Spokeo, and Intelius) are actively harvesting your data and selling it to third-party advertisers for a minimal fee. 

Fortunately, you can opt out of data brokers to prevent them from collecting and selling your personal information. 

Unfortunately, you will need to opt out of every data broker with a profile on you, and you’ll most likely have to repeat the process, as data brokers are notorious for reactivating accounts when new information about you is uncovered online. 

As an alternative, you can subscribe to a data removal service such as DeleteMe to handle the opt-out process for you and reduce the likelihood of your personal information being used to target you with ads. 

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If you’d like to find out how to remove an address from Google Business – whether it’s your business or your personal address – you’ve come to the right place. 

Follow the steps below to learn how to remove your address from Google’s directory. We also show you how to remove a business from Google Maps.

How to Remove Address from Google Business

There are many reasons why you may want to remove an address from Google Business, including if you work from home and would like to maintain your privacy. 

Fortunately, removing an address from Google’s directory is relatively simple. 

1. Log into Google

First, sign in to Google Business. 

If you have multiple businesses, select the one that you’d like to remove the address for.

2. Go to your profile

Once your business page pulls up, click “Edit profile” on the upper left.

3. Edit your location

When the popup window with your business details appears, click “Location” in the tabs at the top of the window. 

Scroll down to “Location and areas” and find the field marked “Business location.” 

You’ll see a pencil next to your address. Go ahead and click it. 

From there, you’ll see a new screen. Click the slider marked “Show business address to customers” to off.

How to Remove a Business from Maps

You can also remove your business from Google Maps. Follow the below steps to do so.

1. Sign into Google Maps

Go to Google Maps and sign in with the account associated with your business profile.

2. Select your business

From Maps, select your business as it appears. 

On the left-hand side of the screen, a popup will open with the business details. 

Scroll down until you find “Suggest an edit.”

3. Remove your business

Next, you’ll see a popup with two options. Pick the second option to “Close or remove” the listing. 

You’ll be shown a new list of options asking why the listing needs to be removed. Pick the one that works best for your situation. 

Then, click “Submit.”

How to Set Up a Google Business Profile for a Business Without a Physical Address

If your business doesn’t have a physical address, you can still set up a Google Business Profile – and you don’t have to share your home address to do so.

Instead, when setting up a Google Business Profile, leave the “business location” field empty. 

Google allows this for service-area businesses, i.e., businesses that deliver to or visit customers directly, like plumbers or cleaning services.

Removing Address from Google Business

While you can remove your address from Google Business and Maps by following the steps above, the address may still be linked to you and thus discoverable online. 

One reason for this is data brokers, which are companies that collect and sell public information about you to any interested third parties. 

Luckily, you can opt out of data brokers to prevent them from sharing your personal details, including your address, with anyone who wants to see them. 

To remove yourself from data brokers and stop your address from showing up on Google Search results, you will need to opt out of every major data broker with a profile on you. See our free DIY guides here.

You will more than likely need to repeat the process, as data brokers notoriously reactivate profiles when they uncover new information about you. 

As an alternative to manually opting out of data brokers, consider subscribing to a data removal service such as DeleteMe. Our privacy professionals will opt you out of data brokers on your behalf, and they will do so continuously to ensure your name and address do not reappear on broker databases. 

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This guide will walk you through the Make America Great Again mailing list removal process. 

MAGA is an American super political action committee (PAC) that supports former president Donald Trump. 

If you’re on MAGA’s mailing list but no longer want to get mail (physical or email) from them, follow the steps below. 

How to Unsubscribe from the MAGA Mailing List

When you get physical MAGA mail, look for a contact number somewhere in the letter or on the promotional flier. 

Once you’ve found it, call it and ask to be taken off the mailing list. 

You can also communicate your request through the “Contact Us” link on MAGA Inc.’s site. Be sure to include your physical mailing address in your request to have it removed from the list.

MAGA Inc. should also provide opt-out information on their privacy policy. Unfortunately, as you can see from a screenshot of their policy below, they seem to have forgotten to include their contact information.

Depending on where you live, you might also be able to quote the law to request removal from MAGA Inc.’s mailing list. 

However, the same thing applies here as before: The privacy policy is missing information on how to actually contact MAGA Inc. 

Therefore, your best bet is to contact the super PAC through the contact form on MAGA’s site. 

Something to note: The privacy policy says that opting out might not be immediate, so be aware that you may continue to receive mail for a time after completing the opt-out process. 

What to Do If You Keep Receiving MAGA Mail 

If you continue to receive physical MAGA mail for some time after submitting your opt-out request, you can write “Refused: Return to sender” on the front of any unwanted and unopened mail from MAGA with a return address and put it back in the mail.

You can also vote early, which will help your vote get recorded and increase the chances that your name will get removed from the mailing list. 

It costs money for the MAGA campaign to send physical mail out, so when they’re able to verify that you’ve already voted, you’re no longer part of the campaign’s focus. 

Keep in mind, though, that there is usually a delay between when you’ve voted and when the county voter list is updated. 

How to Unsubscribe from the MAGA Email List

Fortunately, it’s easier to unsubscribe from the MAGA email list. 

You can do so directly in your inbox by opening a MAGA email and clicking on the “Unsubscribe” link at the top of the email beside the sender’s name or at the bottom of the email. 

If, for whatever reason, you’re not able to unsubscribe using this method, you can also move any incoming MAGA emails to the junk folder, set up a filter to do so automatically or block the email address entirely. 

How to Stay Off the MAGA Mailing List for Good

It can be frustrating to find yourself on mailing lists again and again, especially if you’ve never signed up for them or dealt with a particular organization before. 

One way it happens is through data brokers. These are companies that collect and sell your personal information for a minimal fee. All that MAGA —or any other political, business, or individual entity—has to do is purchase your profile to obtain your mailing address.

Since the information brokers sell is considered public, neither data brokers nor the people, organizations, and/or groups buying from them are seen as doing anything illegal – although it can feel like a violation of privacy when you start getting increased robocalls, spam texts, and junk mail. 

Fortunately, you can remove yourself from data broker databases by submitting an opt-out request. 

Be aware, however, that you will need to submit an opt-out request to every broker with a profile on you. 

Additionally, you will need to repeat the process whenever a data broker finds more information about you, as this will cause your profile to reactivate. On top of that, data brokers tend to get their information from one another, meaning that once your profile is reactivated on one data broker, it will likely reactivate on multiple sites. 

As an alternative, you can subscribe to a data broker removal service such as DeleteMe to handle the process of opting out of data brokers for you. Doing so will help ensure that your mailing address – and all your other personal data – is not sold to entities like MAGA or anyone else. 

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This guide will walk you through the process of undergoing the Tell It Like It Is removal from your inbox. 

If you’re looking for a way to stop unwanted emails and ongoing junk mail from Tell It Like It Is, the super political action committee (PAC) supporting Chris Christie’s presidential campaign, read on.

Since the Christie campaign ended, you shouldn’t be getting any further mail (physical or email) from it, but if you are, you can opt out. 

How to Unsubscribe from the Tell It Like It Is Mailing List

When you receive physical mail from the Tell It Like It Is campaign, look for a contact number. 

Call it and ask to be removed from the mailing list. You can also email the super PAC at privacy@tellitlikeitispac.com (but you’ll need to specify your mailing address). 

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights. If you are a California, Nevada, or Virginia resident, you should technically be able to make your request through a separate link on the Tell It Like It Is site, as per the super PAC’s privacy policy. 

Unfortunately, this link doesn’t work. 

If you live in a state with a consumer privacy law, email Tell It Like It Is and let them know that. 

What to Do If You Keep Receiving Tell It Like It Is Mail 

If you continue to receive physical mail from the Tell It Like It Is campaign after opting out, you should write “Refused: Return to sender” on the front of any unopened mail with a return address and put it back in the mail.

Additionally, if you vote early, the fact that you voted will be recorded in the county voter list, which should remove you from the mailing list for presidential campaigns. 

This removal happens due to campaigns having limited resources and therefore focusing their efforts on voters who haven’t yet voted. Keep in mind, however, that it can take some time for the county voter list to update.

How to Unsubscribe from the Tell It Like It Is Email List

You can unsubscribe directly from your inbox for Tell It Like It Is emails. 

To do so, open the email and click on the “Unsubscribe” link at the top of the email beside the sender’s name or at the bottom of the email. 

Alternatively, you can send an email to privacy@tellitlikeitispac.com and request to be removed via that route.

If, for some reason, you still receive Tell It Like It Is emails, you have a few options. 

You can move any new emails from the campaign to the “Junk” folder (which will teach some email programs that you want emails from that sender to be sent there in the future), block the email address, or set up a filter to automatically sort emails from the sender into the trash folder. 

Note that when you opt out, some promotions might already be in process, meaning you will still get some mail due to being grandfathered in. 

The Tell It Like It Is privacy policy covers this eventuality, “Please allow us a reasonable period of time in order to satisfy your request, as some promotions may already be in process.” 

How to Stay Off the Tell It Like It Is (And Other Super PACs) Mailing List for Good

In many cases, political action committees don’t even require you to sign up for their mailing list before you’re bombarded with communications. 

PACs can purchase your mailing address and other information from data brokers and begin contacting you at any point. 

Because of this, your best option for stopping unwanted and/or unsolicited mail from PACs – as well as telemarketers, phone scammers, and other junk mail – is to opt out of data brokers. These are companies that collect your information from sources as varied as public records, social media profiles, and other brokers and sell it to political campaigns and any other third-party entity willing to pay a minimal fee. 

Unfortunately, there are more than 500 data brokers, and you will need to opt out of each one that has a profile on you. Additionally, you’ll need to opt out repeatedly, as data brokers routinely reactivate profiles when new information is uncovered online. 

Alternatively, sign up for a data broker removal company such as DeleteMe to have the opt-out process handled for you.