What is Data Broker?
A company that collects personal information from various sources, aggregates it into detailed profiles, and sells it to third parties. Data brokers operate largely in the shadows, compiling information about people who often don't know they exist.
Also known as: Information Broker, Data Aggregator
Data brokers know more about you than you might think. They compile information from public records, purchases, social media, loyalty programs, and countless other sources into detailed profiles—then sell access to anyone willing to pay.
Where Data Brokers Get Information
Public Records
- Property records
- Court records
- Voter registration
- Marriage/divorce records
- Professional licenses
Commercial Sources
- Purchase history
- Loyalty programs
- Warranty registrations
- Surveys and contests
- Magazine subscriptions
Online Activity
- Social media
- Website tracking
- App data
- Search history
- Location data
Other Brokers
- Data brokers trade among themselves
- Exponential data accumulation
- Your profile grows constantly
What They Know About You
Basic Information
- Full name, aliases
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Addresses (current and historical)
- Phone numbers, emails
Detailed Profiles
- Income estimates
- Religious beliefs
- Political affiliations
- Health conditions (inferred)
- Sexual orientation (inferred)
- Shopping preferences
- Life events
Major Data Brokers
- Acxiom: 2.5 billion consumer records
- Experian: Credit bureau + data broker
- LexisNexis: Legal and public records
- Oracle: Massive data marketplace
- Spokeo, BeenVerified: People search sites
Who Buys This Data
- Advertisers (targeted marketing)
- Insurance companies (risk assessment)
- Employers (background checks)
- Landlords (tenant screening)
- Political campaigns
- Scammers and stalkers
Removing Your Data
Challenges
- Hundreds of data brokers exist
- Opt-out processes vary
- Often requires repeated requests
- Data reappears from other sources
Services That Help
- DeleteMe
- Privacy Duck
- Kanary
- Manual opt-out guides
Key Brokers to Prioritize
- Major people search sites
- Credit bureaus (freeze)
- Marketing data companies
- Your state's specific requirements
Related Terms
Data Minimization
A privacy principle that organizations should collect only the minimum amount of personal data necessary for a specific purpose, and retain it only as long as needed. This reduces privacy risks by limiting exposure in case of breaches or misuse.
Privacy
The right to control access to your personal information and to be free from unwanted observation or surveillance. Privacy is not about having something to hide—it's about autonomy, dignity, and the ability to choose what you share and with whom.
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