How to Opt Out of Nuwber Data Collection and Take Back Your Privacy

Your personal data is everywhere online these days. Public records, social media profiles, purchase histories – it all gets scooped up and aggregated by obscure websites like Nuwber without your permission. Understandably, many people are uncomfortable with how much sensitive information these data brokers compile behind the scenes.

If you want to know how Nuwber got your data and how to opt out, you‘ve come to the right place. As an online privacy expert, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to remove your personal details from Nuwber and reclaim control of your information.

How Did Nuwber Get My Data in the First Place?

Nuwber is one of hundreds of so-called data brokers that compile detailed profiles of individuals by scraping personal info from various public and semi-public sources online. According to the Nuwber privacy policy, they collect data from:

• Government records like property records, voter registration, birth certificates, etc.
• Public social media profiles
• Commercial data aggregators
• Self-submitted user profiles
• Public websites

The types of personal details Nuwber gathers includes:

• Full legal name
• Age/birthdate
• Current and historical addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Relatives and associates
• Criminal records
• Bankruptcies, liens, judgments
• Real estate transactions
• Vehicles owned
• Professional licenses
• And much more

This raw data gets aggregated into comprehensive personal profiles detailing your online and real-world footprint.

Why You Should Be Concerned About Data Collectors Like Nuwber

The rise of data brokerages has seriously jeopardized personal privacy. Consider these alarming statistics:

• Over 4000 data brokerage firms operate in the US, compiling billions of consumer files according to the Federal Trade Commission.

• These firms hold data on up to 98% of US households according to U.S. Senate investigation.

• The data broker industry brings in over $200 billion per year in the United States.

• At least 75% of data broker records contain inaccuracies such as outdated addresses.

This massive trade in personal data frequently violates consumer privacy and leads to issues like:

• Identity theft: With a single vast profile detailing your SSN, accounts, assets, etc. identity thieves have an easier time exploiting you. Back in 2013, identity thieves used data broker Experian‘s databases to steal personal info on some 200 million Americans.

• Stalking and harassment: Abusive exes, stalkers and other unsafe individuals can use sites like Nuwber to look up your phone number, address history, relatives and more to track you down. Women‘s shelter organizations have flagged these sites as empowering stalkers.

• Sensitive information exposure: Everything from your political affiliations, purchasing habits, ethnicity and health conditions can be exposed in these detailed profiles.

• Lack of consent: In most cases, data brokers don‘t ask permission before compiling your personal dossier.

• Inaccurate data: With billions of records from dubious sources, errors are rampant. But good luck getting them fixed.

While Nuwber and other brokers gather data from technically "public" sources, most reasonable people expect more privacy and find this surveillance creep unacceptable.

Opting Out of Nuwber Using a Removal Service

If you want your personal information removed from Nuwber and other data broker sites, specialized removal services make it easy. They scour the internet and send opt-out requests on your behalf.

Here is an overview of two top-rated automated data removal services:

To use an automated removal service:

1. Select a provider like DeleteMe or Incogni and setup an account.

2. Enter your personal details like name, SSN, etc.

3. The service searches top data broker sites and submits opt-out requests on your behalf.

4. They provide ongoing monitoring to keep your data removed.

This ensures sites like Nuwber remove you from their databases and prevent relisting. Just check their instructions if you need to submit any specific opt-out requests yourself.

Manually Opting Out of Your Nuwber Profile

Alternatively, you can manually request Nuwber remove your personal profile from their people search results. Here are the steps:

1. Visit Nuwber and search for your profile using your name and location details. Make note of any profile URLs associated with your identity.

2. Go to the Nuwber opt-out page at https://nuwber.com/removal/link.

3. Paste the URL of your Nuwber personal profile into the provided field.

4. Enter a valid email address and click the "Remove" button to submit your opt-out request.

5. Check your email for a confirmation message indicating Nuwber received your request.

I recommend using a temporary "burner" email address rather than your primary email to avoid winding up on marketing lists.

Be sure to check back on the Nuwber site after a few days to ensure your profile was actually removed as requested. If not, you may need to submit another request or follow up with their support team at [email protected]. Persistence pays off when it comes to securing your privacy!

How to Minimize Your Online Data Footprint

In addition to removing your personal info from Nuwber, limiting how much data gets out there in the first place is key for protecting your privacy in the digital age. Here are smart tactics you can start using right away:

• Use a VPN to mask your IP address and browsing activity. VPN services like Surfshark and NordVPN assign you a virtual IP, making it harder for trackers to tie online activity back to you.

• Install browser extensions that block online trackers. uBlock Origin, Ghostery and other ad/tracker blockers prevent companies spying on your browsing habits.

• Frequently clear cookies, caches and saved passwords. Data brokers heavily rely on browser cookies to compile info about your interests and habits over time. Deleting them regularly cuts this off.

• Make social media accounts private. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter hand over profile info to data aggregators. Lock down your privacy settings and limit public posts.

• Remove yourself from other shady data broker sites. DeleteMe, Incogni and other automated tools also help you opt-out of FamilyTreeNow, Intelius, MyLife, WhitePages and others.

• Google yourself regularly. Search your name online to surface any problematic personal info and request its removal ASAP.

• Carefully monitor bank/credit accounts for any suspicious activity. Early detection of fraud can limit the damage.

• Check your credit reports frequently. Suspicious new accounts or address changes are red flags that your identity was compromised via a Nuwber-style data leak and misused.

Key Takeaways on Nuwber and Your Data Privacy

• Data brokers like Nuwber comprehensively compile your personal details without permission, posing major privacy and fraud risks.

• Specialized services like DeleteMe and Incogni allow you to easily submit batch opt-out requests.

• You can also manually request Nuwber remove your profile from their website directory.

• Cut down on public data availability by using VPNs, blocking cookies/trackers, adjusting social media privacy settings and more.

Don‘t wait until your data is misused to take action! Being proactive about removing your personal information from Nuwber and other shady brokers is the best way to safeguard your identity and privacy.