Tools and Extensions for Online Privacy

Discover a comprehensive list of tools designed to help you remove your personal information from the internet and protect your online privacy. This guide includes both free and paid options, organized by category. Whether you are looking to clean up your digital footprint, protect against identity theft, or defend against AI-based data collection, these tools provide the resources you need.

Data Removal Tools

Free Tools

  1. JustDelete.Me: A directory of direct links to delete your account from hundreds of web services. Website: justdelete.me
  2. AccountKiller: Provides step-by-step instructions for deleting accounts from numerous websites, including hard-to-find deletion procedures. Website: accountkiller.com
  3. JustDeleteMe: A comprehensive directory to help you delete your accounts from web services. Color-coded difficulty ratings show how easy or hard each service is to leave. Website: deseat.me
  4. Unroll.Me: Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists and newsletters to reduce your digital footprint. Website: unroll.me
  5. Google's Remove Outdated Content Tool: Request the removal of outdated or sensitive content from Google Search results. Access through: search.google.com/search-console/removals
  6. Wayback Machine Removal Request: Request removal of archived pages containing your information. Submit requests at: web.archive.org (contact info in their FAQ).
  7. Spokeo Opt-Out: Opt out and remove your information from Spokeo's people-search database. Website: spokeo.com/optout
  8. FastPeopleSearch Removal: Remove your information from FastPeopleSearch's database. Website: fastpeoplesearch.com/removal
  9. WHOIS Privacy Protection: If you own a domain, use domain privacy protection (offered by most registrars) to hide your personal info from the public WHOIS database.
  10. Have I Been Pwned: Check if your email or phone number has been exposed in data breaches. Website: haveibeenpwned.com

Paid Tools

  1. DeleteMe: Subscription service that removes your personal information from data broker sites and continuously monitors for re-appearance. Website: joindeleteme.com
  2. OneRep: Automated removal of your information from 190+ data broker sites, with ongoing monitoring. Website: onerep.com
  3. Incogni: Sends data removal requests to a large number of data brokers on your behalf and follows up to ensure compliance. By Surfshark. Website: incogni.com
  4. BrandYourself: Privacy protection and personal data removal services. Website: brandyourself.com
  5. PrivacyDuck: Various privacy services including personal data removal and ongoing monitoring. Website: privacyduck.com
  6. ReputationDefender: Online reputation management including removing unwanted personal information. Website: reputationdefender.com
  7. Privacy Bee: Privacy management platform that sends removal requests to hundreds of companies and monitors your data exposure. Website: privacybee.com
  8. Optery: Automated personal data removal from 270+ data broker sites with continuous monitoring and detailed reporting. Website: optery.com

NEW: AI Data Opt-Out Tools

With AI companies scraping the web for training data, new tools have emerged to help you protect your information:

  1. OpenAI Data Deletion Request: Submit requests to remove your personal data from OpenAI's systems: privacy.openai.com
  2. Meta AI Training Opt-Out: Object to Meta using your content for AI training through their Privacy Center or by submitting a GDPR/FADP objection.
  3. X (Twitter) Grok Opt-Out: Opt out in Settings > Privacy and Safety > Grok to prevent your posts from training X's AI.
  4. LinkedIn AI Opt-Out: Opt out in Settings > Data Privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
  5. Block AI Crawlers (for website owners): Add a robots.txt file to your website to block AI crawlers (GPTBot, CCBot, Google-Extended). Example: User-agent: GPTBot / Disallow: /
  6. PimEyes: A tool that scans the web for your face. You can also use it to find and request removal of your images. Use responsibly. Website: pimeyes.com
  7. StopNCII.org: An AI-powered tool to create digital fingerprints of intimate images so platforms can automatically detect and block them. Website: stopncii.org

Privacy and Security Tools

VPN Services

  1. ProtonVPN (Recommended — Swiss-based): Swiss-based VPN with a strict no-logs policy. Free tier available. Website: protonvpn.com
  2. Mullvad VPN: Swiss-based, focused on simplicity and privacy. Website: mullvad.net
  3. ExpressVPN: Reliable VPN with a large server network. Website: expressvpn.com
  4. NordVPN: Strong privacy features and double-VPN option. Website: nordvpn.com

Password Managers

  1. Bitwarden (Recommended): Open-source password manager. Free for individuals. Website: bitwarden.com
  2. Proton Pass (Swiss-based): Swiss-based, end-to-end encrypted password manager by the makers of ProtonMail. Website: proton.me/pass
  3. 1Password: Well-established password manager with travel mode and family plans. Website: 1password.com

Secure Email

  1. ProtonMail (Recommended — Swiss-based): Swiss-based, end-to-end encrypted email. Free tier available. Website: proton.me
  2. Tuta (formerly Tutanota): German-based encrypted email with calendar and cloud storage, now with quantum-resistant encryption. Website: tuta.com

Temporary/Disposable Email

  1. Temp-Mail / Guerrilla Mail: Create temporary email addresses for sign-ups you don't trust. Search for 'temp mail' or use services like temp-mail.org or guerrillamail.com

Private Search Engines

  1. DuckDuckGo: Does not track you, does not store search history. Website: duckduckgo.com
  2. Startpage: Uses Google results without tracking. Website: startpage.com
  3. Qwant: French privacy-focused search engine. Website: qwant.com

Browser Extensions

  1. uBlock Origin: Comprehensive ad and tracker blocker. Free, open-source. Available for all major browsers.
  2. Privacy Badger: Automatically learns and blocks invisible trackers. By the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
  3. Ghostery: Blocks trackers and provides privacy-focused search. Website: ghostery.com
  4. Cookie AutoDelete: Clears cookies and site data automatically when you close a tab. Website: cookieautodelete.com

Secure Browsers

  1. Brave Browser (Recommended): Built-in ad blocking, tracker protection, HTTPS enforcement, and fingerprinting defense. Website: brave.com
  2. Firefox: Open-source browser with strong privacy features. Website: mozilla.org/firefox
  3. Tor Browser: Routes your traffic through the Tor network for maximum anonymity. Best for high-risk situations. Website: torproject.org

Additional Security Tools

  1. Safing Portmaster: A user-friendly application firewall for controlling network activity on your device. Website: safing.io
  2. How Secure Is My Password: Check how strong your passwords are. Website: howsecureismypassword.net
  3. Privnote: Send self-destructing notes. Website: privnote.com
  4. Have I Been Pwned: Check for data breaches. Website: haveibeenpwned.com

Essential Security Practices

  1. Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a password manager and generate unique, complex passwords for every account.
  2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on every account. Use an authenticator app (Aegis, Authy) rather than SMS.
  3. VPN on Public Wi-Fi: Always use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks (cafés, airports, hotels).
  4. Regular Updates: Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
  5. Avoid Phishing: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
  6. Regular Backups: Regularly back up your data to an encrypted external drive or secure cloud service.
  7. Verify Before You Trust: Verify unexpected requests (e.g., 'urgent' emails from your bank) by contacting the organization directly.
  8. Protect Sensitive Documents: Do not upload sensitive documents (passport, ID, tax returns) to untrusted websites.
  9. Disable Unused Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth when not in use to reduce attack surface.
  10. Webcam Covers: Use physical webcam covers for privacy.

By utilizing these tools and following these practices, you can significantly enhance your online privacy and security, protecting yourself from data collection, tracking, and digital threats.