DataRemoval.ca vs DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal

DataRemoval.ca searches data broker and people-search sites for a person’s name, address, phone number, and email, then sends opt-out requests and checks for re-listings. Requests can be submitted by email, web form, postal mail, and API where available. The service says it performs monthly re-scans and automatically repeats removals when information reappears. A free exposure scan is offered without an account or payment card.

The listed plans range from Free at free, with 1 user, 3 removals, and 1 report/month, to paid yearly subscriptions and one-time options. Basic costs $3.74 a year; Premium costs $7.49 a year; and Incognito costs $23.99 a year. One-Time Deep Clean costs $49, paid once, and Lifetime Protection costs $349.99, paid once. The service says it covers more than 1,700 sites, though listed broker coverage is 150 sites. It says stored data is encrypted with AES-256 and processed in Canada. DataRemoval.ca was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal searches supported data broker and people-search sites for personal details such as names and addresses, then sends requests to remove them. Its listed coverage includes Spokeo, TruePeopleSearch and FastPeopleSearch, among 49 sites. The service periodically rescans sites and handles broker confirmation emails to help catch information that returns. DuckDuckGo says setup information and removal requests are handled on the subscriber’s device, and confirmation emails are deleted within 72 hours. After setup, scans and removals run in the background. The service is limited to U.S. residents, one person per subscription and one device. It works through DuckDuckGo’s Windows or Mac desktop browser and its iOS browser; iOS users need Background App Refresh enabled for effective operation. It cannot remove information from sources including social media, government databases, public records, news articles or image databases. Requests may fail, processing can take up to six weeks, and information may reappear. Plus costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year; Pro costs $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year. A free trial is available; there is no free plan.