Swordfish Opt Out: Personal Information Removal Guide 2024

  • By Unzila Siddique

    Unzila Siddique

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    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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  • 9 February 2024
  • 11 mins read

The actions of data brokers like Swordfish contributed to the over 5.7 million scam and identity theft cases in 2022. The platform puts you in danger of stalking, identity theft, harassment, and more. The best solution for protecting your privacy is to opt out of Swordfish. 

We created this Swordfish opt-out guide to help you remove your data from the platform and protect your online privacy.

Key Takeaways

  • Swordfish specializes in collecting people’s information from various sources and making it readily available for recruiters and marketing companies.
  • Your data and that of others is what runs this platform, posting security and privacy risks for everyone. 
  • You cannot stop Swordfish’s operation, but you can opt out and remove your data from the platform. 
  • You can opt out manually by filling out a form or automatically by using PurePrivacy.

What is Swordfish?

Based in New York and founded in 2019, Swordfish is a contact-finding service that draws on a huge database of over 3.5 billion records for real-time verifications.

Recruiters and marketing agencies come to it for data to make vital decisions.

You should also know that Swordfish cannot function with your data and that of other users. They will go to any length to get your data and use it for their selfish gains. 

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

How Swordfish Collects Contact Details

Swordfish gathers personal information termed “Business Profiles” from various sources, including:

  • Public records
  • Social media
  • Government websites
  • Other data brokers
  • Online forms

The business profile includes the following details:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Postal address
  • Email address
  • Job title
  • Company name
  • URLs of social media accounts

Besides, Swordfish collects users’ data when they sign up on the platform. The service also accesses its automated message recipients' SMS or email addresses.

So, Swordfish can collect your personal information from data collectors or your online activities. Opting out of its database can help you control your data privacy.

How Swordfish Uses Your Personal Information

Swordfish uses the gathered “Business Profiles” to maintain its contact search services. As a result, users can find contacts' phone numbers or email addresses. They can also find professionals by searching for their job title, company name, industry, and location.

However, Swordfish can share your data with third parties if the disclosure is sincerely necessary. Such situations include the following:

  • Investigation of criminal activity.
  • In compliance with a legal process, court order, or governmental requirement.
  • Solving cases of law violation.

Swordfish can also share the contact data with its business advisers, third-party service providers, Swordfish investors, or any buyer.

Opt out of its database if you want to stop the service from disclosing your Business Profile. It will prevent Swordfish’s users, vendors, and business partners from accessing your information.

Why Should You Erase Your Data on the Swordfish Database? 

The platform promises people’s contact details, helping sales professionals and recruiters. It also gathers your information when you sign up on the website.

Your business profile, available to the public on Swordfish, exposes you to harm and crimes. Anyone can trace you through your contact details. In addition, if a data breach occurs on the platform, you become a target for identity fraud and other cybercrimes.

Removing your details from the company’s database will help you improve privacy and secure your information.

How to Remove Your Data from Swordfish

Swordfish uses people’s contact information for its contact-searching service and can share the data with third parties.

Considering your contact details are available on Swordfish, you may want to opt out of the platform. You can remove your information from Swordfish through the following ways:

  • Swordfish manual opt-out procedure.
  • Using a third-party privacy service such as PurePrivacy.

If you want to protect your data, you will discover how to remove your data in this section.

Method 1: The Basic Swordfish Opt-out Method

Controlling access to your data can improve your privacy. With the Swordfish opt-out procedure, you can prevent the platform from disclosing your “Business Profile” to its business partners, users, or vendors.

The detailed instructions below will help you remove your data from Swordfish.

Step 1: Visit Swordfish's official website.

Alternatively, you can simply visit the opt-out page by clicking https://swordfish.ai/Optout.

Step 2: Complete and submit the opt-out form.

  • Fill in the required details on the form.
  • Click on “Remove” to submit your request.

Swordfish will remove the information on the form from its system within seven business days of successful submission.

Or you can write to their data protection officer at [email protected] and ask them to remove all references to your details from their database.

Method 2: Opting Out with PurePrivacy

Screenshot of PurePrivacy's homepage

PurePrivacy offers an automated opt-out service and can help you remove your information from multiple brokers, including Swordfish. With your consent, the tool can send opt-out requests to brokers with your data and monitor its removal from their databases.

PurePrivaccy can help you regain control of your data through the following ways:

Multiple Opt-out

PurePrivacy sends automated opt-out requests to data brokers with your information. You can remove your data from Swordfish and other brokers simultaneously, saving time.

Safeguards Your Online Activities

PurePrivacy also clears your browsing history; the brokers will get nothing from your digital trail. It prevents web trackers from monitoring your activities.

Social Media Privacy

It offers settings that control access to your data so you can better guard your social accounts. It makes you a bit more careful of the information you put online.

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

Manual Opt-Out Method

  • You must be involved in the process
  • You have no control over when your data will be removed
  • You need to submit more details to opt out
  • Technical knowledge and experience are required
  • The opt-out process can be detailed and time-consuming

PurePrivacy

  • Works automatically to remove your data and secure your privacy
  • Will automatically remove your data from all data brokers
  • Only your consent is needed. Your input is not required
  • You don’t have to be tech-savvy to use it
  • Opts you out with just a few clicks and in less than a minute

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is Swordfish operating legally?

    Plus

    The contact-finding service is legitimate, but people have also questioned its data collection and use.

  • How can I remove my information on Swordfish?

    Plus

    Just fill in the opt-out form on its website if you want to ask for erasure of your information. You can also use PurePrivacy's automated opt-out process to have your data deleted from Swordfish.

  • How fast will Swordfish's manual opt-out erase my data?

    Plus

    Your information gets deleted within seven days after successfully submitting your data removal request.

  • How can I contact Swordfish directly?

    Plus

    You can contact Swordfish directly by emailing them at [email protected].

  • Is opting out from Swordfish permanent?

    Plus

    Yes, opting out from Swordfish is permanent. Once your information is deleted, they will no longer have access to it. However, to prevent them from accessing your data again, you must stop using their services.

  • Simplify your online presence today

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

Your Privacy Matters

Leaving your data on Swordfish puts you at risk of being scammed or having your identity stolen. You can use the manual opt-out method to remove your data from the platform, but that is only temporal. 

If you are looking for a quick and permanent solution, consider using PurePrivacy that will remove your data from Swordfish and other data brokers and ensure it remains that way.

Article Sources

  1. https://swordfish.ai/policy
  2. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/designing-a-business-profile-template#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20business%20profile,objectives%2C%20mission%20and%20applied%20values.
  3. https://money.com/states-high-identity-theft-2023/#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20half%20of,record%2C%20dating%20back%20to%202001.
  4. https://www.aon.com/en/insights/articles/who-got-hold-of-your-personal-information-data-brokers-are-big-business
  5. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/11/15/americans-and-privacy-concerned-confused-and-feeling-lack-of-control-over-their-personal-information/

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