DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal vs VALT Data Broker Removal

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.

VALT Data Broker Removal scans more than 1,000 broker databases and sends deletion requests for individual users. VALT says it files requests under CCPA, GDPR, and state privacy laws, then monitors for relistings and submits requests again when information reappears. Examples of brokers include Spokeo, Whitepages, Intelius, and BeenVerified. Removal times vary by broker, so the service describes its approach as ongoing exposure reduction rather than a one-time result. The exposure scan is free, requires no account or card, and does not ask for an SSN or government ID. VALT says its zero-knowledge design prevents the company and employees from seeing, accessing, or reconstructing raw personal data. Its privacy policy also describes encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security audits. The free plan includes dVPN protection, ad-supported secure browsing, connected apps, data widgets, and a seven-day activity lookback. Paid data erasure starts at $119.99/yr; the VALTIMATE plan is $239.99 per year and adds a dedicated removal specialist and custom removal requests.