What is a Data Broker?
A data broker is a company that collects, combines, and shares personal information about people - often without interacting with them directly. These companies gather data from public records, online activity, apps, and business partnerships, then use or sell that information for purposes like advertising, background checks, recruiting, or analytics.
Many people don’t realize how widely their personal information is collected and shared, which is why understanding data brokers is an important step toward protecting your privacy.
How Do Data Brokers Get Your Information?
Data brokers collect information from many everyday sources, including:
- Public records (property ownership, court filings, voter records)
- Websites you visit and apps you use
- Social media profiles and online accounts
- Purchases, subscriptions, and loyalty programs
- Job applications and professional platforms
- Mobile apps that collect location data
Over time, this information is combined to create a detailed profile about you.
What Kind of Information Do Data Brokers Have?
Depending on the company, a data broker may collect:
- Your name, age range, and contact details
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Family or household relationships
- Employment and income information
- Online interests and browsing behavior
- Location and movement data
- Public record information
Some of this data may be outdated or inaccurate, but it can still be widely shared.
Common Types of Data Brokers
Data Broker Type | What They Do | Examples |
|---|---|---|
People Search Sites | Publish publicly available personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, relatives) and allow anyone to search for individuals online. | Whitepages, Spokeo, PeopleFinders |
People Search Affiliates | Redirect users to primary people search engines through ads or referrals, often repackaging the same data under different site names. | |
List Brokers | Compile and sell large consumer or business contact lists for marketing, segmented by demographics, interests, or location. | Acxiom, Epsilon, Experian Marketing Services |
AdTech & Marketing | Enable audience targeting, identity matching, and cross-device tracking for personalized advertising. | Oracle Data Cloud, LiveRamp, Neustar |
Job Recruiting Platforms | Collect and share candidate and employment data used by recruiters and employers during hiring. | HireRight, Bullhorn, Jobvite |
Background Check Providers | Aggregate public records and employment history for hiring, housing, or security screening. | Checkr, GoodHire, Sterling |
Data Enrichment Services | Add additional details (job titles, company info, social profiles) to existing data records. | FullContact, Clearbit, Pipl |
Healthcare & Insurance Data Providers | Analyze and license healthcare, pharmacy, and insurance data for research and operational use, often under regulatory oversight. | IQVIA, Optum, LexisNexis Risk Solutions |
Geolocation Data Providers | Collect mobile device location data to build movement insights or enable location-based services. | SafeGraph, Cuebiq, Foursquare |
Surveillance Technology Vendors | Provide tools such as facial recognition or license-plate tracking used by governments or law enforcement. | Flock Safety, Clearview AI, Palantir |
Work & Income Verification Providers | Maintain employment and income databases used for loans, rentals, and benefits verification. | Experian, TransUnion, Truework, The Work Number |
Why Does This Matter to You?
When your personal information is widely shared:
- You may receive unwanted calls, emails, or ads
- Your data may be outdated or incorrect
- Your privacy and personal safety may be at risk
- Your information may be harder to control or remove
Many people are surprised by how many companies have their data.
Can You Opt Out of Data Brokers?
In many cases, yes - but the process can be complex.
Some data brokers:
- Require identity verification
- Use different opt-out methods
- Take weeks to respond
- Re-add data over time
Managing opt-outs manually often means tracking dozens of sites and following up repeatedly.
How Privacy Bee Helps
Managing your personal data across hundreds of data broker sites can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Privacy Bee is designed to make this process simple and continuous.
Privacy Bee helps by:
- Identifying where your personal information appears.
- Submitting opt-out and deletion requests on your behalf
- Monitoring for re-listings over time
- Following up with non-responsive data brokers
By managing these steps for you, Privacy Bee reduces the effort, complexity, and ongoing maintenance required to protect your digital footprint - so you can focus on what matters most while we handle your privacy.
Take Control of Your Personal Data
Understanding how data brokers work is the first step toward protecting your privacy. By staying informed and taking action, you can reduce your online exposure and regain control over your personal information.
Updated on: 01/07/2026
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