In an increasingly connected world, the idea of erasing your digital footprint and disappearing from the internet is appealing to many. Whether it’s due to privacy concerns, data breaches, or simply wanting a fresh start, removing your presence from the web is challenging but not impossible.
Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you completely disappear from the internet.
Step 1: Assess Your Digital Presence
Before you start erasing your existence from the internet, you need to know what’s out there.
Search Yourself Online
-
Use search engines like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo to search for your name, email addresses, usernames, and phone numbers.
-
Note down all instances where your information appears.
Check Data Broker Sites
-
Websites like Spokeo, Whitepages, Intelius, BeenVerified, and PeopleFinder collect personal information for profit.
-
Search for your data on these sites and compile a list of them.
Step 2: Delete Social Media Accounts
Social media platforms hold a significant amount of personal information.
Delete Accounts from Major Platforms
-
Facebook: Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion.
-
Twitter: Navigate to Settings and Privacy > Account > Deactivate Your Account.
-
Instagram: Visit Instagram’s Delete Your Account page and follow the instructions.
-
LinkedIn: Go to Settings & Privacy > Account Management > Close Account.
-
Reddit: Visit your account settings and choose Deactivate Account.
Other Platforms
-
Delete profiles from platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, and others.
-
Search for old accounts you may have forgotten about using websites like AccountKiller or JustDelete.me.
Step 3: Remove Yourself from Data Broker Sites
This step requires persistence as data brokers continuously gather new information.
Opt-Out Requests
-
Visit each data broker site and follow their opt-out procedures.
-
Some sites require you to submit identification for verification.
-
Common data brokers include:
-
Spokeo: Opt-out at https://www.spokeo.com/optout
-
Whitepages: Opt-out at https://www.whitepages.com/suppression_requests
-
BeenVerified: Opt-out at https://www.beenverified.com/optout
-
Intelius: Opt-out at https://www.intelius.com/opt-out/submit/
-
PeopleFinder: Opt-out at https://www.peoplefinder.com/manage/
-
Use Data Removal Services (Optional)
If doing it manually is too much effort, consider services like:
-
DeleteMe (joindeleteme.com)
-
Incogni (incogni.com)
-
OneRep (onerep.com)
These services will request removals on your behalf but usually require a subscription fee.
Step 4: Remove Old Accounts and Unused Apps
Search for old accounts and delete them to reduce your digital footprint.
Check Old Email Accounts
-
Look for newsletters, subscription emails, and registration confirmations that can hint at old accounts.
-
Use email search tools like Deseat.me to find accounts linked to your email address.
Delete Old Apps and Accounts
-
Remove unused apps on your devices that might be tracking or storing your data.
-
Log into old websites and delete accounts if they are still accessible.
Step 5: Contact Webmasters to Remove Information
Sometimes, your personal information may appear on websites or blogs that you do not control.
How to Remove It:
-
Contact the website owner via their contact page, privacy policy page, or WHOIS lookup.
-
Politely request removal of your information.
-
Use the Google URL Removal Tool to request outdated content be removed from Google’s index.
Step 6: Delete Search Engine Results
Even after deleting accounts, cached pages or search results may still display your information.
-
Use Google’s Removal Tool (https://support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061?hl=en).
-
Request removal of outdated content.
Other Search Engines
-
For Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and others, you may need to contact their support teams to request content removal.
Step 7: Delete Your Email Accounts
If you want to completely disappear, you need to get rid of your primary email accounts.
Steps to Delete:
-
Gmail: Visit Google Account > Data & Privacy > Delete your Google Account.
-
Yahoo Mail: Go to Account Termination page.
-
Outlook/Hotmail: Visit Microsoft’s Account Closure page.
Step 8: Remove Yourself from Online Directories
Check for your information on phone books, people search sites, and business directories.
-
Request deletion via their opt-out process.
-
Use a service like Incogni to speed up the process.
Step 9: Monitor Your Digital Presence
Even after deletion, your information might resurface.
Tools for Monitoring:
-
Google Alerts: Set alerts for your name, email, and phone number.
-
Privacy Monitoring Tools: Services like BrandYourself or DeleteMe can continuously monitor for breaches.
Step 10: Strengthen Your Privacy Moving Forward
If you plan to stay offline but still need an online presence, take these precautions:
Use Alternative Communication Methods:
-
Create anonymous email accounts using services like ProtonMail or Tutanota.
-
Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram.
Avoid Social Media or Use Pseudonyms:
-
If necessary, create separate accounts that do not reveal your identity.
Use VPNs and Privacy Tools:
-
Browsing with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can prevent websites from tracking your IP address.
-
Use privacy-focused browsers like Brave or Tor.
The Drawbacks of Disappearing from the Internet
Before proceeding, consider the downsides of disappearing from the internet:
-
Losing Connections: Erasing your social media accounts may cut you off from friends, family, and professional contacts.
-
Missed Opportunities: Future employers, collaborators, or acquaintances may struggle to find you.
-
Service Restrictions: Many services now require online presence and email registration to function.
Final Thoughts: Is It Really Possible to Disappear Completely?
While you can significantly reduce your digital footprint, completely erasing your existence from the internet is nearly impossible. New data brokers and online services are constantly gathering information, so staying vigilant is essential.
However, by following the steps above and using privacy tools, you can make it exceedingly difficult for anyone to track your online presence.