Social Catfish Opt Out: Personal Information Removal Guide 2024

By Unzila Siddique

Unzila Siddique

Hi, I'm a part time content writer and full time SEO dabbling in the world of cybersecurity, one step at a time.

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12 February 2024
12 mins read

Table of Content

Table of Contents

Imagine a digital world where someone can delve into your life with just a few keyboard taps. It's like a realm called Social Catfish in the data domain. They can piece together your existence using details like your name, email, phone number, address, or even a random picture. This digital detective navigates the internet, sifting through records like a modern Sherlock Holmes, crafting profiles like online storytelling. And guess what? They're eager to share these tidbits with anyone interested.

Key Takeaways

Please be aware that Social Catfish compiles information from multiple origins to construct comprehensive profiles of individuals, encompassing their social media, email, and telephone information.
You have the option to opt out of Social Catfish's database, ensuring your personal information is not easily accessible to others.
Stay proactive about your online presence by periodically checking for your information on data broker sites like Social Catfish.
Unveil the innovative approach of PurePrivacy, offering a smooth solution to wipe your data from data broker databases, ensuring an enhanced realm of privacy across the digital landscape.
Stay informed about the extent of personal information available online and take necessary steps to minimize potential risks.

They tout themselves as an "online investigation site" with access to a staggering 200 billion records. The twist? Users, with a subscription, become undercover agents behind a cloak of anonymity. It's astonishing how a snippet of information and a fee can turn strangers into virtual peeping Toms. Armed with a username or picture, they explore your life as if they possess backstage passes.

Social Catfish operates as a data broker platform enabling searches based on various criteria like name, email, phone, username, address, and images. It scours the web for public records and constructs detailed profiles, selling access to these profiles. Branded as an "online investigation site," it boasts access to a staggering 200 billion records. By purchasing a membership, individuals can access extensive personal information, even with limited details like a username or image.

Continue your data privacy journey

Safeguarding your online privacy hinges on understanding how data brokers operate. To fortify your security, adopt the following steps:

Grasp data broker practices: Dive into their methods, grasp their data collection techniques, and stay abreast of evolving privacy regulations.
Evaluate privacy policies: Scrutinize terms of service and application specifics meticulously. Keep an eye out for any data-sharing agreements, especially with third-party data brokers.
Preserve personal data: Exercise caution with private information on the internet, particularly on social media platforms. Regularly update your privacy settings.
Leverage opt-out opportunities: Explore the possibility of opting out from data brokers. Whenever feasible, request the removal of your details from their records.
Maintain vigilance: Monitor your online accounts and financial transactions consistently. Scrutinize credit reports for accuracy and swiftly respond to any unauthorized access.
Spread awareness: Educate friends, family, and colleagues about online privacy. Empower them to take steps in shielding their data as well.

Amidst varied operations, data broker companies often sell curated contact lists categorizing people based on interests and traits. These lists can range from innocuous labels like "fitness enthusiasts" to more concerning ones such as "new parents." Shockingly, a company once offered lists including the personal information of 1,000 individuals battling health conditions like anorexia, substance abuse, and depression, all for a mere $79.

Opting out methods: Reclaiming control over data

In today's digital age, our data is constantly under the radar of various online platforms and services, often without our explicit consent. It's crucial to regain control over this data to protect our privacy and personal information. One effective way to do this is by understanding and utilizing opting-out methods, with a particular focus on platforms like Social Catfish.

Step 1: Search for yourself on the website

Open the official website of Social Catfish.
Enter your full name and area of residence.
Hit "Search".

Screenshot of Social Catfish official webpage where you need to perform the search to opt out

Step 2: Refine your search

Enter your age group to refine your search further
Hit "Continue".

Screenshot of refining your search further for opt out

Screenshot of all the records Social Catfish will look into

Step 3: Sift through the search results

Pick and choose the name you want the information for.
Hit the tab "See Complete Results".

Screenshot of the results found on Social Catfish

Step 4: Remove your listing

Hover to the green tab and with a right click, copy the URL address.
Then log on to https://socialcatfish.com/opt-out/ to proceed.
Add the link the box and get to the extreme end of the page.
Solve the "I'm not a robot" CAPTCHA.
Hit "Remove my listing" tab.

Screenshot of removing your listing from Social Catfish and adding the desired URL where it's highlighted

Screenshot of verifying you're human and removing the listing from Social Catfish

Step 5: Whitelist your request

Enter your full name and email address.
Hit "Submit" at the end.

Screenshot of whitelisting your request to proceed with the opt out

Step 6: Successful submission

After navigating through all the steps, your request will be sent.
The only downside is that it might take long (approximately 3 weeks) for Social Catfish to complete the removal of your personal data from their website.

Screenshot of successful submission of your opt out on Social Catfish

Duration of this exercise: 10 - 15 minutes

PurePrivacy can be a powerful ally in the quest for data removal and maintaining control over your personal information as the pervasive tracking and logging of online activities pose a significant risk to users' privacy. Here's how PurePrivacy can assist:

PurePrivacy's Remove My Data feature combats this threat. Users provide basic details, and PurePrivacy sends data removal requests to 130+ data brokers. While verification isn't guaranteed, it confirms deletion from publicly accessible databases.
PurePrivacy offers a dashboard displaying data brokers and their collected information, with risk scores. Users can track removal requests, communicate with brokers, and receive weekly reports. Removal time varies, typically 30-60 days.

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.

Visit Social Catfish's official website.
Type in your complete name, choose your country, and hit the 'Search' button.
Pick your state from the dropdown menu and press 'Continue'.
Similarly, pick your city and click ‘Continue’.
Choose the age range and press 'Continue' or click 'Skip for Now'.
Find your listing, hover over it without clicking to open, then right-click your name and pick 'Copy link address’.
Go to Social Catfish's opt-out form.
Complete the opt-out form: paste the copied URL, enter the data for removal (you can add multiple emails, URLs, and phone numbers), provide an email for the confirmation code, solve the Captcha, and click 'Remove This Listing'.
Look in your inbox for a confirmation email from Social Catfish. Click the link to finish the process.
Upon submitting the opt-out request, please be aware that the removal process will span approximately 3 weeks until all your information is fully removed.

PurePrivacy

Launch the app (10 seconds)
Create a profile (10 seconds)
Give consent (10 seconds)

Here's an astonishing fact: Towerdata has a staggering 80% of U.S. email addresses on record, and Equifax holds 38% of employed Americans' pay stub details. Moreover, databases like CampaignGrid and ProPublica possess political data, including party affiliation and campaign contributions, for a whopping 80% of registered American voters. It's rather astonishing to consider that a significant portion of your information is likely to be present within these broker databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Social Catfish legit?

Social Catfish is a legitimate platform offering online investigative services, aiding individuals in confirming identities, locating people on the internet, and evading online scams and fraudulent activities.
Is Social Catfish free?

Social Catfish presents various pricing choices tailored to your service requirements. Starting with the Basic Search, a complimentary option enabling you to investigate a person's name or email for potential associations with social media profiles and online accounts.
How to cancel Social Catfish account?

To deactivate your account, begin by accessing your dashboard. Next, locate and click on "Manage Account" situated on the left side of your screen. Scroll down to the "Plan Info" segment and select "Cancel" for the plans you wish to terminate.
How does Social Catfish get my information?

Social Catfish acquires consumer data through various channels, including:
From consumers directly: Individuals might offer their information directly to Social Catfish while signing up, making purchases, or engaging in surveys.

Indirectly from consumers: Social Catfish could also gather consumer information indirectly through methods like cookies and web beacons.
Sourced from third parties: Additionally, Social Catfish may collect data from third-party sources like public records and social media platforms.
How long does it take to opt out of Social Catfish?

After submitting the opt-out request, please note that the removal process will take around three weeks to ensure the complete removal of all your information.

Conclusion

Explore the realm of Social Catfish, where your digital life is just a click away. Unveil its intricate web delving into personal details, revealing startling ease of access. Understand how this 'online investigation site' crafts profiles from 200 billion records, all shielded behind subscriptions. Learn to safeguard your digital presence, opt-out strategies, and PurePrivacy's innovative data removal. Discover risks, curated lists, and step-by-step opt-out processes. In a privacy-conscious world, our guide empowers informed choice.