In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping your personal data safe has become super important. With information constantly being shared and stored, it’s essential to take steps to protect your sensitive info. Thankfully, some pretty cool tools have popped up to help with this.
One of the standout options is data removal services, which are great for getting your personal information off the radar of data brokers—those companies that scoop up personal info and sell it without you even knowing. These services can give you peace of mind, knowing that your data is less accessible to anyone who shouldn’t have it.
Surfshark, known for its VPN services, also has a neat offering called Incogni. This service helps you remove your data from data brokers—a task that would take forever if you tried to do it yourself, given how many databases are out there.
Incogni: What is it?
In addition to using basic cybersecurity tools like a VPN and antivirus software, adding a data removal service to your digital safety toolkit can give you more comprehensive protection. These services do a great job of tracking down and eliminating your personal data from various places. You might be surprised to learn how many companies have your information, and data removal services help you take control of your privacy.
The whole process usually involves searching for your data across different data broker platforms, figuring out what companies have it, and then asking them to remove it. Data removal services make this a lot easier and quicker since they automate much of the work. With their expertise, you can be confident that your data is getting scrubbed from as many sources as possible.
It’s worth mentioning that while data removal services are effective, they can’t completely wipe your info from the internet. Once your data is out there, it can be tough to get rid of it entirely. However, these services help reduce how exposed your data is, making it harder for unauthorized people to access it.
By taking action to safeguard your data, you're stepping up your identity theft protection and lowering the chances of financial fraud and other online threats. Data removal services are a powerful way to protect your privacy and personal info, helping you manage your digital footprint.
And it doesn’t stop at just removing your data; the ongoing battle is making sure it doesn't come back. Incogni continues to scan various databases to look for your name and personal details. When it finds your info, it steps in to get it removed, so it stays off these platforms.
Incogni: Pricing and plans
Incogni offers a variety of pricing options for its data removal service, catering to both individuals and families who seek different levels of privacy protection. For individuals, the service provides a **Standard plan** that can be purchased either monthly or annually. The monthly Standard plan is typically priced around $16.58, but for those looking to save, the annual plan brings the effective monthly cost down to approximately $8.29, billed as $99.48 per year.
For users requiring a more comprehensive level of data removal, Incogni has an **Unlimited plan**. This plan is primarily available as an annual subscription for about $14.99 per month, totaling $179.88 annually. The Unlimited plan allows for custom removal requests from sites that may not be covered by the standard service, offering an enhanced layer of privacy.
On the family side, Incogni provides specific plans designed to accommodate multiple users. The **Family Standard plan** covers up to five individuals and is priced at around $32.98 monthly, or approximately $16.49 per month when billed annually (totaling $197.88 per year). For families seeking the most extensive coverage, the **Family Unlimited plan** is available, offering custom removal requests for all members at a cost of approximately $29.99 per month, billed as $359.88 annually.
All plans generally include automated removals from over 270 data brokers, 24/7 support, and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring users can try the service risk-free. Additionally, Incogni can be obtained as part of the Surfshark One+ bundle, which may provide even more cost-effective pricing when combined with other cybersecurity tools. Whether you are an individual or part of a family, Incogni has flexible options to help protect your privacy online.
Incogni: Basic features
Continuously gathering information about individuals, data brokers scour the internet, social media, and public sources like property record databases or alumni databases for names with addresses or graduates from specific institutions.
Data brokers gather and compile personal information to create individual profiles, aiming to sell this information for various purposes. While some data collection serves legitimate purposes, such as credit checks, this practice also raises concerns about the potential misuse of this data. Nefarious actors, such as hackers, may exploit this vulnerability and compromise sensitive information, posing significant risks to individuals.
Incogni is a cutting-edge privacy protection service that empowers individuals to take control of their personal data and safeguard their online privacy. At the core of Incogni's service is an exhaustive list of data broker databases. These data brokers collect and aggregate vast amounts of personal information from various sources, including public records, social media platforms, and online activities.
Incogni's comprehensive database of data brokers ensures that individuals can identify all entities that possess their personal information. This is a crucial first step in the process of data removal, as it allows individuals to target their efforts and focus on the specific data brokers that hold their information.
Recognizing the overwhelming task of manually navigating the complex and time-consuming process of data removal, Incogni provides a user-friendly data removal tool. This tool is designed to streamline the data removal process by automating many of the steps involved. With Incogni's tool, individuals can easily identify the data brokers that have their information, initiate the data removal process, and track the progress of their requests.
Incogni's data removal tool is designed to be intuitive and accessible, even for individuals who are not particularly tech-savvy. The tool guides users through the process step-by-step, providing clear instructions and prompts. It also offers personalized recommendations based on the specific data brokers that have the user's information.
By leveraging Incogni's exhaustive database of data brokers and user-friendly data removal tool, individuals can save hundreds of hours of work that would typically be required to remove their information from these databases manually. Incogni empowers individuals to take control of their personal data, protect their privacy, and minimize the risk of identity theft and other online threats.
To delve in deeper, Icogni uses laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an EU law also from 2018, along with other privacy laws that apply to the location in question to compel data brokers to act.
Incogni initiates the data removal process immediately upon joining, sending out requests on day one. Within a week, they begin receiving responses. During the first month, the majority of these removal requests are processed. Subsequently, they periodically review and follow up on outstanding requests to ensure the complete removal of data.
Users enjoy the convenience of receiving weekly updates, a feature that distinguishes this service from others that provide less frequent updates, such as monthly or quarterly intervals.
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Incogni: Using Incogni
Using Incogni proved to be a user-friendly and straightforward process. Upon creating an account, the service promptly initiates a comprehensive scan across the web to identify your personal data. Subsequently, it presents you with a clear overview of data removal requests being initiated on your behalf.
The online dashboard is straightforward, displaying essential information such as the total number of requests. While the service collaborates with 180 data brokers, this number, while significant, falls short of its competitors' extensive networks.
Upon registering with most data removal services, the initial excitement wanes as the process unfolds. Incogni, like many others, requires users to patiently wait while it scans the web, sends data removal requests, and awaits responses. While waiting, the company does provide insights into the types of data held by each broker.
It's essential to acknowledge that data brokers may operate at a slower pace, which can make Incogni (and other data removal services) appear sluggish. However, there is no need for concern, as the process is ongoing, and positive results should be evident within a few weeks or months.
Incogni: Support
While Incogni provides direct and self-help support options, we believe that enhancing both services would greatly improve the user experience.
On the direct side of things, we did not seem to be able to find a phone number, fax, snail mail address, or online chat box. Rather, there is an option for direct communication via an email address, support@incogni.com, and it is indicated that users should expect a response in 24 hours. Alternatively, there is a support portal for those that prefer that method.
On the website, there is a blog with some general information. We also located a Knowledge Base, which can be searched to get to various topics. We also found some opt out guides, such as how to remove your information from numerous people search finders. However, you don’t need to sign up for anything to take advantage of using the op out guide.
Incogni: The competition
Incogni operates in a competitive landscape of data removal services, all aimed at helping individuals reclaim their digital privacy by removing personal information from data broker websites. Here’s an overview of some of its main competitors and what distinguishes them:
DeleteMe: Often regarded as one of Incogni's strongest rivals, DeleteMe has been in the data removal industry since 2010. Its key differentiator is a hybrid approach that combines automated processes with human agents to handle removal requests. While DeleteMe advertises coverage of over 750 data brokers (including many custom requests), Incogni generally covers more brokers automatically. Additionally, DeleteMe offers privacy tools like email and phone masking, but Incogni tends to be more affordable, particularly with its annual plans. Incogni also provides unlimited custom removals with its higher-tier plan, while DeleteMe limits custom requests.
OneRep: OneRep primarily focuses on people-search sites and has developed a robust methodology for scanning these platforms to locate specific profiles and verify removals. While Incogni offers broader international coverage, OneRep is currently limited to U.S. residents. OneRep provides a free scan and a 5-day free trial, which Incogni does not offer, although Incogni does have a 30-day money-back guarantee. There have been concerns raised about OneRep's data handling practices and the founder's past connections to data broker sites.
Optery: Optery distinguishes itself with extensive coverage of data brokers, often listing hundreds more than Incogni. It provides greater transparency by auto-generating links and screenshots of where your data is exposed, which Incogni does not do for all removals. Optery also has a free plan that performs an initial scan, while Incogni does not offer this feature. However, Incogni typically covers more non-public data brokers, such as those in marketing, recruitment, and risk mitigation, whereas Optery focuses more on publicly searchable people-search sites.
Aura: Aura is another strong competitor, often bundled with identity protection services. It offers data removal services at very affordable prices, sometimes starting at a lower cost than Incogni, and includes extras like a VPN and antivirus. However, Aura may not provide as much detail on individual removal requests compared to Incogni.
Privacy Bee: Privacy Bee provides comprehensive data removal with extensive data broker coverage and features like dark web monitoring and the ability to blur your house on public maps (available with higher-tier plans). Despite its large coverage, Incogni is generally more affordable and fully automated, while Privacy Bee may require some user input. Privacy Bee primarily targets U.S. customers, whereas Incogni has a wider international reach.
In summary, while Incogni excels in its automated processes, broad data broker coverage (including many non-public brokers), and affordability, its competitors often differentiate themselves through human oversight in removals, more transparent reporting of discovered data, additional privacy tools, or a greater focus on specific types of data brokers (such as people-search sites). The best choice often depends on an individual's specific needs, budget, and desired level of involvement in the data removal process.
Incogni: Final verdict
Incogni offers a compelling and robust service for individuals looking to take control of their online privacy. With an annual subscription that includes a significant discount, users can enjoy substantial savings while gaining access to comprehensive privacy protection. The platform not only provides weekly updates on data removal efforts, ensuring that users are informed about the progress made on their behalf, but it also comes with a reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing potential customers to explore the service risk-free.
One of the standout features of Incogni is its effective data removal capabilities. The service is designed to help users eliminate their personal information from various data broker sites, which is crucial for those wishing to enhance their online anonymity. In an age where data privacy concerns are at an all-time high, such features can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and unwanted solicitations.
However, it's worth noting that Incogni does not offer a free trial, which might deter some potential customers from exploring its features. Additionally, while the support infrastructure is functional, there is room for improvement in terms of responsiveness and the resources available to users seeking assistance.
Overall, despite some minor drawbacks, Incogni proves to be an effective and competitively priced solution for anyone who prioritizes their data privacy. For those serious about safeguarding their personal information, Incogni is definitely worth considering.
