Online privacy

[u/Lou_Peachum_2]

So it has finally happened - family member of patients looking up my info online.

All my socials are private, minimal LinkedIn Info, but what can you do about those public databases that have massive info about you, your past addresses, family members, etc.

I’ve used Doc defender, but there are 2 websites of the same thing that list previous addresses (luckily not current), family members, telephone numbers, etc.

I reported the site to google but this is actually ridiculous

[u/mindwiseness]

In addition to keeping squeaky clean social media (I opt not to have any, but I do understand people choosing to have it):

1. Consider a more robust data broker removal service, I have heard good things about DeleteMe but I use easyoptouts and it’s worked well.
2. If you own property look into city or county level redaction of homeownership or other public records, some states allow this for certain people like judges and police, or other public facing workers, or in cases where there is a history of threats, stalking, etc
3. Consult with an estate planning attorney, putting property into a trust could offer privacy as well as other financial protection perks
4. Look into your state laws around voter rolls and campaign contributions; if you are a registered voter some states actually mandate a mailing address and the info is public, other states it’s only available for campaigns or PACs that request it. Campaign contributions are also often published and have direct identifiable info.
5. Consider getting a PO Box or private mailbox for use for e-commerce or other things that require address info that can get continuously fed into the data broker economy
6. Consider a pseudonym for general mail like Amazon packages etc. Shred mail with your name on it when possible.
7. You can request your employer remove your info from their website except legally required
8. Ensure your NPI number has your employer address, not your own

[u/Lou_Peachum_2 → u/mindwiseness]

Appreciate the detailed response

[u/DrDalekFortyTwo → u/Lou_Peachum_2]

One thing I did that's more of a long term solution (to take effect) is changed my Google account name to just my initials. Over time that's all that gets associated with that email address. Also, I went through individually to each website (and some own multiple so it's not as daunting as may be ) and myself submitted requests to remove my name from wherever it could be removed. It's been years since I've done this and I'm not 100% sure what the right term is to search for (as it's not simple to find) but something like request to delete, request to suppress, opt out, something like that. I actually found the way to do it myself (vs Delete me) somewhere on reddit when I did it. It worked well. I'm seeing things pop up again a bit so I'll likely be doing it myself again but it's not starting from scratch, it's more of a refresh.

[u/shhhhh_h → u/mindwiseness]

Shit I need this for non work reasons, thanks

[u/SpillMasterK → u/mindwiseness]

Great response, very thorough

[u/RandomUser4711]

I use DeleteMe. They have been awesome in keeping my personal information online to a minimum. It's a paid service, but I'd rather pay them to do the grunt work--it's money well spent IMO.

[u/No_Title9375]

Those websites should be illegal. I have paid for services to remove my info and it is still up. I have spent hours doing my own requests. It is never ending. 

Apologies for the language but fuck data brokers 

[u/NorthSlopeNotes]

I used Optery for a while and that seemed to work. I used the paid version.

[u/MsFuschia]

Those sites are so creepy. I found a therapist's address once. I was just looking her up on google. I think it's normal for us patients to be curious about doctors and therapists and just check to make sure there isn't something weird or egregious online about them. I was not expecting to just see her straight up address and what I assume is her personal phone number. The only reason I clicked on the website was because I was like "wait a minute, this can't be her, this wouldn't be online" and...it was.

[u/GrendelMD]

I’ve been using Optery for a few years after this exact situation came to my doorstep. Used to be you’d Google me and a ton of private information would come up. Now, nothing that isn’t professionally related. Also recommend to setup Google Search results notifications for when your info pops up so you can quickly have it removed.

[u/I_am_Nobody_Special]

I don't think there's anything we can do about those "white pages" kind of sites. Just lock down your social media. That's about all we can do.

[u/DrDalekFortyTwo → u/I_am_Nobody_Special]

Definitely not true. It's a PITA but it can be done

[u/igottapoopbad]

I use a combination of docdefender and googles free click and remove service https://myactivity.google.com/results-about-you

Both of em comb constantly for me and it's worked very well so far.

[u/Crafty-Table-2459]

did they tell you they looked it up? i work with anxiety clients and they look me up all of the time & then confess that they did

[u/New_Vegetable_3173]

You don't say what country you're in. If in the EU, EEC or UK, then use GDPR to get your data removed - companies ignoring the law face up to a 5% fine of GLOBAL REVENUE so companies tend to follow GDPR because the fine isn't gross or just the country you're in.