What Is a Data Broker? Understanding Who’s Selling Your Data and How to Stop It
When you think of “data theft,” you might picture hackers, but a bigger threat comes from legal companies called data brokers. They quietly collect, package, and sell your personal information without you knowing. Here’s how they do it and how you can take back control of your data.
What Is a Data Broker?
A data broker is a company that collects personal information without your direct consent and sells it to other businesses. They might sell data to advertisers, insurance companies, political campaigns, or anyone looking for specific types of consumers.
Common Types of Data They Collect:
- Full name, age, and address
- Email and phone number
- Location history
- Online shopping habits
- Social media activity
- Financial indicators like income range
- Health-related interests
How They Get Your Data (Without Hacking You):
- Web tracking from cookies, third-party apps, and logins
- Public records like voter registration or property ownership
- Purchases and loyalty programs
- Social media platforms and data-sharing partnerships
Why It Matters:
You might not see the damage right away, but losing control of your data can lead to identity theft, unwanted solicitations, predatory insurance rates, and more. Worst of all you don’t get a cut of the profit made from your identity.
How to Stop It:
Removing your data manually from all 600+ brokers is nearly impossible. That’s where services like Reklaim Protect step in. We find your data, request removal on your behalf, and monitor for new exposures.
Try Reklaim Protect free and take back your privacy today!
