Ever wondered if it’s truly possible to delete yourself from the internet? Sure, you can clear your browser history or deactivate the odd social media account, but what about removing your entire digital footprint?
This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of how to get your information off the internet and regain control of your online privacy. If you want to learn more about what is personal information, we’ve also got you covered.
Why Delete Yourself from the Internet?
The internet can leave your personal information exposed, putting you at risk for:
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Malware
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Social engineering attacks
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Data breaches
Deleting your online presence can reduce these vulnerabilities and help protect sensitive details like passwords or banking information.
Beyond security, you may want to start fresh or maintain a low-profile life by eliminating:
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Social media posts
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Comments
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Unflattering photos
How to Remove Personal Information from the Internet
Removing yourself from the internet might sound overwhelming, but it’s entirely doable. Here’s how to get started:
1. Understand What’s Out There
Identify the types of personal information currently online:
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Social media posts
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Inactive accounts
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Cached search engine data
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Publicly scraped data
Knowing what’s out there gives you a clearer idea of what you’ll need to address.
2. Deleted Doesn’t Always Mean Gone
Even if you delete something, your data might remain:
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In cached versions on search engines
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Through data scraping by third-party aggregators
Removing this takes effort but significantly reduces your digital exposure.
3. Tackle Old Accounts
Search for old email addresses and usernames to locate forgotten accounts.
Actions:
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Delete dormant accounts
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Anonymize profiles
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Unsubscribe from services you no longer use
4. Social Media Platforms
When figuring out how to delete yourself from the internet, social media platforms are often the first stop. Remove accounts on:
Platform | Link to Deletion Guide |
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Delete Facebook | |
Delete Instagram | |
Delete Twitter (Use this as internal anchor text) | |
TikTok | Delete TikTok |
Delete LinkedIn | |
Delete Reddit |
Deleting these accounts will limit the platforms’ ability to track or store your personal data.
5. Online Shopping and Subscription Services
Accounts like Amazon, Tinder, Uber, and Google Play Store can hold significant personal data.
Tips:
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Use in-platform deletion tools
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Contact support if no self-service option exists
💡 Pro Tip
Use tools like Falcon VPN or services like Incogni to help remove data from third-party databases.
How to Completely Delete Yourself from the Internet
Whether for privacy, security, or peace of mind, here’s how to take full control of your digital footprint.
Step 1: Delete Accounts and Audit Websites
Start by identifying every platform you’ve used.
Close Websites You Own
If you've purchased a domain, platforms like Whois.com may list your info.
Action Plan:
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Deactivate domains
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Delete blogs on platforms like WordPress
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Unlist site ownership
Remove Yourself from Forums
Many forums allow you to delete your posts and accounts.
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Edit or anonymize old posts
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Request removal of mentions by other users
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Deactivate your profile
Use Search Engines
Search your name, email, and phone to uncover:
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Old forum posts
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Forgotten accounts
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Listings on people-search sites
Then follow the steps to request data removal or opt-out.
Opt Out from Data Brokers
Popular data brokers:
Data Broker | Opt-Out Option Available? |
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Acxiom | ✅ Yes |
PeopleFinder | ✅ Yes |
BeenVerified | ✅ Yes (manual) |
You can use:
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Manual requests
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Threat Protection tools (like Falcon VPN)
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Automated services (like Incogni)
To handle opt-outs faster.
Step 2: Remove Unwanted Search Results
Contact Website Owners
If a website exposed your private info, contact the admin and request removal.
Use Google’s Removal Tools
Try:
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Request removal of personal data from search results
Leverage Legal Protections
If you’re located in the EU, invoke your GDPR rights (Article 17) to request data deletion from companies.
Step 3: Deactivate Your Email Accounts
After deleting most accounts, it’s time to deactivate your email.
Provider | Special Notes |
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Gmail | Requires deletion of the entire Google Account |
Yahoo | Takes ~180 days to finalize account termination |
💡 Keep your email active until all deletion verifications are complete.
For detailed instructions, check our guides to deleting Gmail and Yahoo accounts.
Step 4: Limit Future Data Sharing
Use Privacy-Focused Browsers
Switch to:
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Brave
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DuckDuckGo
These browsers are less invasive than Chrome when it comes to tracking.
Minimize Social Media Use
Reduce the use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook to avoid data scraping, especially for biometric data.
Protect Yourself with a VPN
A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP.
Protect Your Online Privacy with a VPN
Removing your personal information from the internet is a powerful step—but it’s only part of the solution. To prevent future data exposure and secure your digital footprint, using a reliable VPN is essential. A VPN masks your IP address, encrypts your data, and keeps trackers at bay.
Try free vpn - Falcon vpn to enhance your online anonymity:
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Visit the official Falcon VPN website.
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Choose your device type (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android).
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Download and install the app.
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Before connecting, visit the What Is My Address page to see your current IP.
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Open Falcon VPN and connect to a secure server in one tap.
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Refresh the page to confirm your new, private IP address.
With Falcon VPN, your internet activity stays private—even on public Wi-Fi. It’s the perfect companion for anyone serious about reclaiming their digital privacy.
FAQ: How to Delete Yourself from the Internet
How do I delete all my information from the internet?
To delete your information, start by identifying where your data exists—social media, forums, shopping platforms, and data brokers. Then systematically delete accounts, contact website owners, and use tools like Google’s removal tool and VPNs to secure your activity. Consider services like Incogni for data broker opt-outs.
Is it possible to completely delete yourself from the internet?
While it’s nearly impossible to erase every trace, you can significantly reduce your online presence. Following a step-by-step plan—deleting accounts, opting out of data brokers, and hiding personal information on the internet—can drastically minimize your digital footprint.
How can I hide personal information on the internet?
Use privacy browsers, a VPN, and review the privacy settings of your accounts. Avoid sharing personal details on public forums or social media, and regularly audit your online presence using search engines.
What tools can help remove personal information from the internet?
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Falcon VPN(free iphone vpn): Offers privacy and threat protection
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Incogni: Handles automated data removal requests
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Google’s removal tools: Help eliminate search engine data
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Manual opt-outs: For platforms like BeenVerified or Acxiom
Should I delete my email to disappear from the internet?
Only delete your email after using it to verify deletion requests for other accounts. Once everything else is removed, you can deactivate the email as a final step to help delete yourself from the internet.
Can a VPN help delete me from the internet?
A VPN won’t delete you, but it can hide personal information on the internet by masking your IP, encrypting your traffic, and blocking trackers. It’s essential for protecting yourself after you've removed most of your data.

John Miller is a tech enthusiast and online privacy advocate with over 8 years of experience in VPN and cybersecurity. He writes expert guides to help users navigate VPN options, enhance their online security, and protect their privacy on the internet.