Find My Past Opt Out: Personal Information Removal Guide 2024

  • By Muhid Suleman

    Muhid Suleman

    Author Image

    Muhid Suleman, An expert writer from Pureprivacy's content team, Dedicate to make data privacy simple and accessible for you. Muhid, Our Content Wizard, weaves tales about online privacy using simple and user friendly procedures. He firmly believes that online privacy is your right and a big deal in the digital jungle.

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  • 9 February 2024
  • 9 mins read

With Findmypast, you can learn more about your families, ancestors, legacies, and exciting stories of them. 

Over 200 million people were impacted by data breaches this year due to such acts, and I’m sure you don’t want to fall victim to scams or identity theft. 

Explore our streamlined Findmypast opt-out options to protect your data and digital privacy. 

Key Takeaways

  • Findmypast offers access to billions of family records. It partners with archives, institutions, and societies.
  • You can opt out of Findmypast through the traditional manual process by emailing [email protected] or using the automated approach - PurePrivacy.
  • PurePrivacy offers immediate results and continuous monitoring to prevent data reappearances on Findmypast or other data broker websites.

What is Findmypast?

Findmypast is one of the leading genealogy and family history sites, run by Findmypast Limited.

Founded in 1965 as Title Research, which became an online resource in 2003 with the URL of 1837 online.com., Relaunched in 2006 and bought by DC Thomson in 2007.

Today, Findmypast is a global service that covers the UK, Ireland, Australia, and North America. With a focus on partnerships with resources at archives, institutions, or societies, the platform offers access to billions of family records.

You can use this platform to learn more about your families, ancestors, and legacies. While they offer great services, it has a downside - your data is at risk. Scammers and identity thieves can easily access your personal information on this platform and use it for their illicit activities. 

Opting out is the only way to protect your data and digital privacy. 

How Findmypast Gathers Your Information

Findmypast would not exist today without people’s data. Your data and that of others are what’s powering their entire operation. 

Some of the information Findmypast can collect from you include:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Date of birth
  • Postcode
  • Phone number
  • Home address

They collect people’s data from various sources, such as:

  • Social media
  • Public records
  • Surveys
  • Other data brokers

They also collect your data when you do the following:

  • Create an account on the platform
  • Fill out a form
  • Contact them
  • Search for family records

How Findmypast Uses Your Personal Information

Findmypast uses personal information to enhance users' experiences and provide tailored services. It collects and analyzes personal information to create comprehensive profiles that make it easy for others to learn about users. 

You are able to use the platform to learn about your past because it has sourced and analyzed other people’s data. 

They might also share or sell your data with other entities for marketing or research purposes. The downside of this practice is that your data might fall into the wrong hands, which can negatively affect your security and privacy. 

Why Is Opting Out of Findmypast Important?

Last year, about 400,00 fraud cases were reported to the FTC. Most of these events were due to the data misuse and abuse of data brokers. 

That number will likely increase yearly because of data brokers' unethical practices. You can only stop it by opting out of these platforms and removing your data. 

Opting out will help protect your data and digital privacy. Other benefits of opting out include reduced target ads and restoration of privacy rights. 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Opting Out of Findmypast

If you wish to request the deletion of your personal information from Findmypast, you have two primary ways of achieving that. Here are the methods below.

Method 1: The Basic Opt-Out Procedure (Manual)

Find my past homepage

Step 1:Compose an Email

  • Using the email address associated with your Findmypast account, send a deletion request to [email protected]
  • Ensure you add all necessary details to enable them to verify your identity, such as your name, address, and more.

After sending the email, wait for a few days for a response. Send another email if you don’t get a response within a week.

Method 2: Opt Out Using PurePrivacy - Your One-Stop Digital Privacy Solution

Screenshot of PurePrivacy's homepage

The easier, automated way to opt out of Findmypast and protect your online privacy is with PurePrivacy. One click is all it takes to have PurePrivacy help you delete your data from Findmypast and other data brokers.

Why Choose PurePrivacy?

Automated Opt-Out

You can opt out of Findmypast and dozens of other data brokers with just a few clicks. Your input is not required. PurePrivacy will handle the entire process. They will send opt-out requests to data brokers and monitor them until they remove your data

Social Media Security

Serves as your social media security consultant, reviewing privacy settings and advising on the best configurations to ensure Internet safety. It will protect you from sharing sensitive information on social media platforms, protecting your data and digital privacy.

Steps to Opt-Out Using PurePrivacy

  • From web app:

    ● Visit the PurePrivacy website.

    ● Sign up to PurePrivacy.

    ● Create your profile.

    ● Provide us your consent.

    ● Once you allow authorization the opt out process will begin. Pure Privacy automatically starts the monitoring & opt out process for your information. First ask them if they have your data or not. If they have simply opted out of data on behalf of you. This all process was done within a short period of time. Also Send a weekly email summary that combines and summarizes the activity related to removing data.

    From Mobile App (Android & IOS):

    ● Launch PurePrivacy mobile app.

    ● Signup or Login to your account.

    ● Enter Details to create your profile.

    ● Allow us your express authorization to start the opt out process.

    ● Once you allow authorization the opt out process will begin. Pure Privacy automatically starts the monitoring & opt out process for your information. First ask them if they have your data or not. If they have simply opted out of data on behalf of you. This all process was done within a short period of time. Also Send a weekly email summary that combines and summarizes the activity related to removing data.

Manual Opt-Out Vs. PurePrivacy

  • Long process on the website.
  • Deletes your data from only this website
  • You must be involved in the entire opt-out process
  • Success is not always guaranteed. Follow-up emails might be required if you don’t get any response
  • Your input is not required; just your consent is needed
  • Automatically removes your data from Findmypast and dozens of other data brokers
  • Provides social media privacy and reduces your digital footprint
  • Removes your data from all data brokers with just a few clicks

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is Findmypast safe to use?

    Plus

    The safety of your data is not guaranteed with Findmypast, as hackers or cybercriminals can easily access your personal information.

  • How can I manually opt out of Findmypast?

    Plus

    Send an email to [email protected] requesting the removal of your personal information from their database.

  • How long does the manual opt-out process take?

    Plus

    It takes only a few minutes to send the opt-out request email. You might have to wait for a few days or weeks for the team to remove your data from their system completely.

  • How did Findmypast get my data?

    Plus

    Account termination completely deletes all of your personal data from our systems and makes that data inaccessible. Before deactivating your account, you must download your family tree, DNA data, or any other notes or files you have stored to Ancestry.

  • Simplify your online presence today

    With PurePrivacy, make sure all your personal data remains safe without a hassle!

Your Privacy Matters

If you don’t want to join the millions of people affected by data breaches yearly, you should opt out of Findmypast and other data brokers. 
These platforms don’t have adequate data management systems, putting your privacy and security at risk. 
You can use PurePrivacy to remove your data from all data brokers holding it. Opt out now to reclaim your digital freedom and protect your data.