Removal Process
Can I Make Specific Deletion Requests?
Privacy Bee will do all that is lawfully possible to delete your information. Privacy Bee automatically begins with our list of 910+ Data Brokers and People Search Sites because we consider them an imminent threat to one's privacy and security. If you have a company that is a top concern, please send us the link, and we will try to prioritize the data removal request or offer guidance on how to trigger Privacy Bee to send a data removal request.
When you have those sites, you find that you wantPopularCan I Make Deletions Myself Or Is It All Hands Off?
Whether you have a Pro or Free Account, you always have the option to take removals into your own hands if you would like, using our complimentary Data Deletion Guides, which can be accessed for each exposure found on your dashboard. With a Free Account, we provide a scan to find your exposures, but the power to remove them lies in your hands. When you upgrade to a Pro Account, we handle the removal process for you! However, you still have the power to take the deletion process into your own hanPopularHow Does the Scanning Process Work?
Understanding every part of the scanning process can seem intimidating, but we are here to walk you through every step so you can know precisely how we are finding your information and working to keep it safe.
The information below applies to all our Licenses or a Free Account, though some aspects (like the removal requests process) can only be found in a Pro Account.
When you first sign up, and as we continue scanning for your information, all of these exposures appear in what we call the "PPopularHow Do I Use The DIY Guides?
Even without a Privacy Bee Essentials, Pro, or Signature License, we provide manual removal options for most sites we scan to let all our customers take their privacy into their own hands. This article will explain where you can find the removal guides for each site when they are available.
Looking at your dashboard, go to the left nav bar and select the Excruciating Detail page. Click on any blue share icon (tiny box with an arrow) to go to its company profile page. Enter the company name (orPopularWhen Will A "Requested" Deletion Be Completed?
Every step to remove your information takes time, but that begs the question: When will a "Requested" deletion be completed?
This question is difficult to answer as it depends on how responsive or compliant the site holding your information will be. Many of the Data Brokers with your information are unwilling to let it go, so when we request to remove it, they will resist it for as long as possible. This resistance often leads to a hold on the removal process, meaning it can take up to 3 monthsSome readersWhat Sites Does Privacy Bee Scan?
Privacy Bee scans operate 24/7 in our database of 910+ Data Brokers (including People Search sites) that frequently sell or expose your info. We've also manually researched and mapped out the PII removal process from an additional 181,000+ Custom Sites.
We scan a variety of different types of sites and sources to ensure comprehensive results. The particular types of sites/sources that we scan include the following:
Data Brokers
People Search Sites
People Search Site AffiliatesFew readersWhat Is The Difference Between "Pending" And "Requested"?
The "Pending" section of the scanning process is where initial exposures go when found via our scan process, and before any action is taken. After our removal team (real people doing the job) works on the "Pending" exposures, they will be moved to the "Requested" section.
When placed into "Requested," that means that we are actively working on the removal! Depending on the site, the exposure report can sit in the "Requested" section for up to three months. Usually, it takes about that long to gFew readersWhen Will I Begin Seeing Results Now That I Have An Essentials or Pro License?
Completion varies from company to company, but you will see many scrubbed exposures within a few weeks/months, steadily progressing as you remain an Essentials or Pro license holder. We continue monitoring and scanning after removing exposures in case your data reappears.
We give companies 60 days to respond, a response time that is based on CCPA and GDPR which are the US and international standards for data privacy legislation. However, if we haven't heard anything by the end of that period, wFew readersHow Does Gmail Inbox Scan Work?
Another benefit of being a Pro license holder is our Inbox Scan function!
Spam email is one of the most frustrating parts of having an email address. It's hard to pick through what's real and what's just spam, especially when things that aren't spam are also being sent to your spam inbox. Our inbox scan is engineered to help make managing what emails you get just a bit easier.
When you click on Gmail Inbox Scan, the screen below appears with optionFew readersHow Do I Expedite/Prioritize A Data Removal Request?
If you want a particular site to be moved up in priority for removal, sending Orwell a message is the best way to do this! We can take the links you send in and prioritize them for removal, or our support team will offer guidance on triggering Privacy Bee to send a data removal request for you.Few readersCan You Remove My Phone Number Information?
Yes, your phone number information can be removed, but your profile must filled out to do this as efficiently as possible.
When signing up for a Free or Pro Account with Privacy Bee, we ask for a selection of information, including your name, DOB, email, physical address, and phone number. This information is required to pinpoint your online exposures accurately. We need this information to submit data removal requests (Pro Account only), and we must be able to verify it as you!Few readersDoes Privacy Bee Send My Email Address To Data Brokers?
Privacy Bee ensures the highest level of security and privacy when transferring data by utilizing entirely safe and secure methods. One such method includes using proxy email addresses originating from Privacy Bee when communicating with Data Brokers. This means that when we interact with Data Brokers, your actual email address remains completely confidential. At no point does a Data Broker receive your personal email address from us, ensuring your privacy and minimizing the risk of unwanted conFew readers
Your Personal Dashboard
What is a Privacy Risk Score?
Found front and center on the Exposure Dashboard, the Privacy Risk Score measures how dangerous your personal data exposures are today. This is determined by Privacy Bee scanning and monitoring sites across the internet, which identifies anywhere and everywhere your information is found, open, and available. A full scan is conducted once you set up your account (and regularly after that) to ensure the dashboard shows the latest updates.
The Privacy Risk Score is based on the number of exposuresPopularWhy Has My Risk Score Not Improved/Changed?
The Privacy Score on your dashboard can fluctuate or remain consistent throughout your time with us. It will never be zero, but we aim to lower your score as best as possible. Your score may increase as we add more Data Brokers to our database or as re-exposures occur and are identified for our team of privacy professionals to address.
It can also remain static for various reasons. One is that we find more vulnerabilities as we successfully remove information. It can also remain static if thePopularHow Do I Use The Active Exposures Page?
The Active Exposures page gives you a clear look at the scan results Privacy Bee has found, showing you exactly what types of personal information were exposed and where they were found.
It's a good idea to go through the Active Exposures page and indicate "This Is Me" or "Not Me" for each section: Identity, Family, Location, and Contact Info. Once the details are expanded, you can view the information our scans discovered by clicking on any company name to go to its profile page. Clicking "ThiFew readersHow Do I Use the Private Search Engine?
Part of the Pro Account benefits that we offer is our Private Search function. Using your Private Web Search, you can search for anything on the internet safely and without being tracked. Privacy Bee stores no information on the searches you make, and the searches are made from our server. No cookies or tracking are used!
It's a way to search without being tracked, though whatever links you click will take you to the site externally on your system.Few readersWhat Does "Closed" Mean?
"Closed" can have different meanings depending on the site. Generally, it means we successfully deleted your data. However, it can also mean we've exhausted all possible efforts to remove your information.Few readersHow Do I Update My Profile?
Changing your name or birthday is easy. It's vital to have an accurate DOB in your profile. Only change the DOB if it was entered incorrectly.
To change or update your name, physical address, and active email addresses, please select Manage Account on the left nav bar. Click on any blue "+" button to update and change your personal information. You can also add alternate names to boost our scan's ability to pinpoint more of your online exposures.Few readersWhat Do The All-Time Stats Mean?
The All-Time Stats show that we have your back, and this article will explain what they mean to you as an individual.
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From the "Exposures Found" to the "Scans Performed," every stat is essential to understanding how we have kept you safe since you opened your account. We are constantly scanning for more exposures to keep your information privFew readersWhat Do The Categories Mean On The Excruciating Detail Page?
1 - Last Scan - The last date our scans searched for your information.
2 - Last Action - The last action that Privacy Bee took for a particular company.
3 - Next Action - Shows the following actions Privacy Bee will take for each company.Few readersHow Do I Add or Change a Method Of Payment?
Adding or changing a payment method is easy! You can start by opening the Manage Account page and tapping the License Management page to change your payment method (on the left horizontal nav bar).
Left Nav Bar - Manage Account
Once on the License Management page, you will see a blue "Edit" button, and when you click it, our secure payment page will open for you to make chaFew readersWhen Will My Risk Score Be Zero?
Your score will never be zero as we can only partially scrub your information from the internet. There will always be sources that will hold your information, such as legally public information like marriage licenses. Still, we will lower it as much as possible and will always continue working on protecting your privacy.Few readersWhat Are The Suggestions & Next Steps For On My Dashboard?
The Suggestions and Next Steps section on your Privacy Bee dashboard (lower right side) is designed to help you take even more control over your personal information. While these actions are optional, they can significantly enhance your privacy and reduce your digital footprint.
This section highlights proactive steps you can take, such as:
Opting out of mass marketing databases to limit how often your data is sold or shared for advertising.
Extending privacy protection to yFew readersWhat Does It Mean If I See No Information On The Active Exposures Page?
When Privacy Bee's scans detect your personal information on People Search websites, the results will appear on your Active Exposures page.
People Search sites are websites that gather and publish personal details, like your name, address, phone number, email, relatives, and more, often without your permission. They make this information easily accessible to the public, which can increase your risk of spam, scams, and even identity theft.
If our scans don't find your data on these sites, that'Few readersDoes Privacy Bee Have Full Access To My Gmail Account?
Just to clarify, Google updated its IMAP policies, and the optional Gmail Inbox Scan does require giving Privacy Bee full access to your Gmail inbox. That said, please rest assured: no one here is reading anyone's inbox, and we can't see anyone's Gmail Inbox Scan results. Only the scans from our own personally paid licenses are visible to us.
The optional Gmail Inbox Scan feature can be discontinued at any time! Just click on the Gmail Inbox Scan page on the left nav bar and tap the grayscale "Few readers
Getting Started
What Countries Does Privacy Bee Cover?
,
Global Reach, Local Impact
In the digital age, the concept of privacy transcends borders. Data brokers, entities that collect and sell personal information, operate on an international scale and often compile and trade data without the explicit consent of individuals. At Privacy Bee, we understand the complexities of protecting personal information in this global landscape. Our mission is to offer the most comprehensive data deletion service worldwide, ensuring your privacy isSome readersWhere Do I Start? What Do I Do Now?
Orwell here is ready to walk you through getting your account set up and bringing you one step closer to gFew readersHow Do I Add An Email Address, Physical Address, and Phone Number?
Thankfully, we make adding additional emails, phone numbers, and addresses easy for our users!
If you want to add additional information, like another email, a phone number (or two or three), or a previous address, navigate to the Manage Account page on the left nav bar. Next, tick the blue buttons for each item you want to add to your profile:
You will receive aFew readersHow Do the Privacy Bee Essentials, Pro, and Signature Licenses Work?
Our Essentials and Pro Licenses offer flexible payment options, available monthly and annually, with discounts for adding multiple family members or extending your annual subscription.
Our Signature services provide a premium, white-glove experience and are available exclusively as annual licenses, without discounts.
We want our customers to experience the full value of our services. Given the timeline and the nature of the removal process, a year-long subscription offers the bestFew readersWhy Do I Have To Complete My Profile?
To ensure that Privacy Bee's scans can find your online vulnerabilities, we strongly suggest you fill out your profile as completely as possible. This includes adding previous addresses you have lived at in the past few years, as some of your information may be associated with them instead of your current address.
Additional information that will help significantly is as follows:
Middle Name and initials.
Previous physical addresses.
Active email addresses.
Birth date.
Working pFew readersCan Privacy Bee Remove Information From Social Media Platforms?
We understand that you want to protect your personal data from unwanted exposure. That's why we are here to help you remove your information from Data Brokers and People Search sites as much as possible.
However, for social media accounts, the situation is different. Most of them require you to have direct control over your account, such as logging in and following their specific steps. We don't ask our subscribers for sensitive information or have control of their email or login information, sFew readersHow Do I Configure My Trust Network And Privacy Preferences?
Marking a company as Negative/Untrusted from your Essentials, Pro, or Signature License Dashboard is easy! For companies not classified as Data Brokers or People Search Sites, Privacy Bee must have a digital trail proving the requests are from our subscribers and not random sources. The following article and screenshots will give an understanding of how to set your Privacy Preferences.
From the Dashboard, please go to the Excruciating Detail page (on the left nav bar), type in the company nFew readersHow Do I Set Trusted and Negative Company Relationships?
If you would like information about who to trust and how to change your trust status, please continue reading the article below.
Deciding which companies to trust is a personal decision for each of our customers. Overall, it is up to you to determine what companies you want to trust and what companies you want to mark as Negative. We provide data on many companies on their Company Profile Pages, which you can find via the company search bar.
For a quick walkthrough of how to view company pagesFew readersWhat Is The Difference Between a Signature License and the Essentials And Pro Licenses?
Privacy Bee has three subscription tiers: Essentials, Pro, and Signature Services, each designed to match your privacy needs and level of urgency.
The Essentials License covers removals from over 914 data brokers and people search sites, mainly using automated processes with some human oversight. It includes protection for unlimited emails, phone numbers, addresses, and alternate names, continuous monthly scans, a real-time dashboard, and monthly progress reports. It’s ideal forFew readersWhat is an Exposure?
Exposures lie at the heart of our platform, which finds and analyzes your personal data exposures across the internet.
An exposure is an instance of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) found online. When an exposure is found, it means your PII can easily be viewed either publicly or by paying just a few dollars to Data Brokers and People Search Sites, for example. Because of these exposures, your information can be sold to telemarketers, scammers can access it, people with ill intentFew readersWhat Do You Do With My Information?
Privacy Bee will only use your information to locate exposures across the internet. Your information is proprietary, and we want to help you keep it safe and secure. We have your back in the fight for privacy and will always be transparent about how your information is being used. We never sell or provide your information to third parties, because that's exactly what we're fighting against!
For more information, we supply both a Privacy Manifesto and an in-depth Privacy Policy. The Privacy ManiFew readersHow Do I Manage My Limited Power Of Attorney?
Our Limited Power of Attorney (LPoA) is extremely limited in scope: it only allows us to act as your representative for communication and make privacy-related requests for you (such as requesting data deletions or opt-outs). Although it’s not required, we recommend you sign the LPOA so that we can act on your behalf to perform the deletion requests.
Our LPOA is available on your Manage Account page near the bottom, and the display will have a PDF that you can sign at the bottom. Please readFew readersWhat Does It Mean To "Trust" A Company?
Privacy Bee aims to give consumers a voice by centralizing their preferences and enforcing them using any privacy laws available! Marking companies as Trusted or Untrusted is an excellent start for establishing who can hold your information and who needs your permission to keep your data on file.
A Trusted company might include the streaming services you use, places you shop, games you play online, banking institutions, and more. An Untrusted company is any company or website you no longer wantFew readersCan I Add Nicknames, Maiden Names, Or Secondary Names To My Profile?
If you have a nickname or legally changed your name, you can include them in your profile! By adding aliases, maiden names, and alternate names to your profile, you help Privacy Bee find more exposures to remove. Please go to the Manage Account page to add alternate names by clicking the blue + Alternative Name button, adding the name(s), and clicking the blue "Save Changes" button.
When you add additional names, we'll run a fresh scan with the updated information to boost your results.
IfFew readersHow Do I Use the Blur My House Feature?
Privacy Bee offers a "Blur My House" feature, where you can blur pictures of your home on satellite maps such as Apple Maps & Google Maps. Many satellite maps reveal your home to anyone who wants to look; all they need is your address!
We offer the "Blur My House" feature to help you regain your privacy, but it is a permanent action that cannot be undone when you switch it on. Please ensure you want to take action before you blur your house, since it cannot be undone later.
Turning it on iFew readersCan Privacy Bee Remove Court Cases Or Arrest Records?
We would like to let you know that we understand how these specific web exposures concern you. However, we cannot remove government or public documents because the law permits them to appear legally on public records, such as websites for a county's or state's property tax, court, or arrest records.
Some websites will remove court records if the case was expunged, dismissed, sealed, or a not-guilty verdict was given, and legal documentation is provided to prove one of those four exceptions. PriFew readersDo I Need To Submit Data Deletion Requests Myself?
What Happens After I Subscribe to a Privacy Bee License?
Once you subscribe to any of our Privacy Bee licenses, there's no need to manually submit data deletion requests; we take care of that for you. Our expert privacy team gets to work right away, proactively identifying and submitting data removal requests for your personal data exposures across the web. You only need to submit data deletion requests independently if you want to.
We handle the heavy lifting on your behalf, including:Few readersCan Privacy Bee Remove Adult Content?
We are a proactive data privacy service, and, among other services offered, we work to reduce the amount of personal information data brokers can access.
Ultimately, these efforts result in a lowered risk of being the victim of a data breach and malicious actors.
Privacy Bee can do what we are legally allowed to do, which includes requesting the deletion of personal information and opting out of the sale of your personal information on your behalf. Outside of that scope, we cannot formally remFew readersWhat is the Difference Between Professional And Personal Information?
Many professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, government officials, and more, utilize our product to protect themselves online, but what defines what information we remove?
Some professional information must remain online, such as a business email, business name, and other details you want customers interested in your business to see via the appropriate channels. That doesn't mean, however, that you should be stuck with your home address, personal phone number, and other identifying informationFew readersHow Does Privacy Bee Help With Spam Phone Calls And Emails?
Privacy Bee helps reduce spam calls and emails over time by addressing the root cause and requesting the removal of your personal data from the source rather than just blocking unwanted messages. While we don't block spam directly, we work to minimize its occurrence by reducing your digital footprint and the data that spammers rely on.
If you're receiving spam from legitimate companies, you can submit a Custom Deletion Request, and we'll reach out on your behalf to request the removal of your pFew readersCan I Add Old Email Addresses And Phone Numbers I No Longer Have Access To?
Why Does Privacy Bee Require an Active Email and Phone Number?
Privacy Bee requires an active email address and phone number for identity verification and security purposes. These details help us ensure that all data deletion requests are submitted accurately and on behalf of the correct individual.
Why can't I use an old or inactive phone number?
Carriers often recycle phone numbers and reassign them to new users. This prevents you from receiving the SMS verification codes neededFew readers
