National Public Data (NPD) has recently resurfaced following significant privacy concerns stemming from a data breach. Users are urged to take immediate action and remove their information from the site to protect against potential future compromises.
The Troubling History of NPD and User Privacy Violations
As a leading people search engine, NPD collects a wide array of information from individuals across the internet. While some data may be accessed at no cost, the platform primarily monetizes its offerings by charging for detailed reports. This business model raises important questions about user privacy and consent.
In a high-profile incident in 2024, NPD became the focus of media attention after an extensive data breach resulted in the exposure of billions of personal records. This breach included sensitive information belonging to individuals who had registered with the service as well as those who had their data harvested without their knowledge.
The leaked data encompassed usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, and contact details. Although NPD implemented measures to secure its site post-breach, the irreversible damage to user trust had already occurred.
NPD’s Comeback: New Ownership and Ongoing Concerns
NPD reemerged in early 2024 after shutting down briefly in December 2023, now operating under a new ownership structure that is notably separate from Jerico Pictures, Inc.The website currently features a notice indicating this shift.
Details regarding the new owner remain undisclosed; however, the domain is now linked to Perfect Privacy LLC. NPD continues to function as a people search service, compiling publicly available data from various sources, including government databases and social media.
Importantly, the site claims it only collects data from sources considered public; however, the proliferation of AI data scraping makes it simpler for such platforms to gather information without user consent. This raises further concerns about privacy and security.
Since many users never agreed to have their information displayed on NPD, and considering the prior breach, it’s essential to take steps to eliminate your data from the platform as soon as possible.
How to Remove Your Information from NPD
Begin by conducting a search for your name on NPD. Input your city and state to refine the results.
Once you’ve identified your profile, take note that some of the listed details may not be accurate. For instance, while my profile contained incorrect birthday and email information, it correctly listed my address and neighbors.
If you find yourself listed, it indicates that others can view your information as well.
Click on View Full Profile and copy the URL associated with your profile; this link will be required to initiate the data removal process.
Navigate to the National Public Data Opt Out page, paste the URL in the designated box, and select Request Removal. Input an email address, preferably one listed in your profile, and click Confirm Removal.
Ensure that you have access to that email account as you’ll need to confirm your removal request. After receiving an email, click Remove to complete the process. You should also expect to receive a final notification indicating that your data removal was successful.
If there are multiple profiles associated with your name, repeat this entire procedure for each one. Note that you’ll require a different email address for each removal request, though you may utilize a temporary email service if necessary.
To verify that your data has been successfully removed, revisit the site a few days later. In my case, the removal was completed within minutes.
Managing Your Data on Other People Search Websites
It’s important to recognize that NPD is far from the only platform exposing your personal information to the public.
A range of people search websites feature similar opt-out mechanisms, typically accessible within the site’s footer or in the FAQs section.
If the prospect of manually deleting your data from numerous platforms seems daunting, consider utilizing third-party services that specialize in searching and removing your information from these sites.
To safeguard your privacy, it’s advisable to check these sites on a semi-annual basis to ensure your information hasn’t been re-added. Though this may be a labor-intensive task, it plays a vital role in protecting your identity, much like monitoring your credit report.
For further privacy enhancement, contemplate deleting any unused social media accounts. These platforms often contain a wealth of personal information that could contribute to your presence on people search sites. Refer to the following guides to assist in deactivating your accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
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