How to Remove Yourself from Spokeo
Spokeo aggregates data from public records, social media, and other sources. Here's how to remove your listing for free.
Last updated: February 2026
5 min
Time needed
Medium
Difficulty
24-72 hr
Removal time
What Spokeo Collects About You
Spokeo is one of the largest people-search sites, with over 14 million monthly visitors. A typical Spokeo profile includes:
- Full name and known aliases
- Current and past addresses (often 10+ years)
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Relatives and associates
- Social media profiles
- Age and date of birth
Important
Spokeo's free opt-out only removes your data from free search results. If someone has already paid for your report, Spokeo retains that data in their paid account. You cannot remove data from existing paid reports.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Step 1: Find Your Listing
Go to spokeo.com and search for your name + city/state. You may have multiple listings under different name variations or old addresses. Note the URL of each listing you want removed.
Step 2: Go to the Opt-Out Page
Visit spokeo.com/optout. Paste the URL of the listing you want removed into the form.
Step 3: Enter Your Email
Provide an email address for verification. Use a dedicated privacy email if you have one — you don't want your primary email associated with even more data profiles.
Step 4: Complete the CAPTCHA
Solve the CAPTCHA verification and click submit. Spokeo will send a confirmation email.
Step 5: Confirm via Email
Check your email and click the confirmation link. This is the step most people miss — your request is not processed until you click the link. Check spam/junk folders if you don't see it within a few minutes.
Step 6: Repeat for All Listings
You must submit a separate opt-out request for each listing. If you found multiple profiles (different name variations, old addresses), repeat the process for each one.
After You Submit
- Wait 24-72 hours for removal to process
- Verify removal by searching for yourself again after 3 days
- Document it — note the date and use our Opt-Out Tracker to stay organized
If Your Data Comes Back
Spokeo continuously scrapes public records. Your data can reappear after weeks or months. If it does:
- Submit a new opt-out request (same process as above)
- Check if the data is from a new public record source — Spokeo pulls from voter rolls, property records, court records, and more
- If you're in California, file a complaint with the CPPA under the CCPA
- Consider using your state's privacy laws — check our State Rights Lookup
Pro Tip: Minimize Future Data Collection
Remove yourself from voter rolls (where allowed), use a P.O. box for public-facing addresses, and opt out of data sharing when buying property or getting a phone plan. This reduces the raw data Spokeo can find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is removing my data from Spokeo really free?
Yes. Spokeo's opt-out is completely free. You don't need to create an account or provide payment information. If any site asks for payment to remove you from Spokeo, it's a scam.
Will removing my data from Spokeo also remove it from other sites?
No. Each data broker operates independently. Removing from Spokeo does not affect BeenVerified, Whitepages, Intelius, or any other broker. You'll need to opt out of each one separately — see our complete data broker opt-out guide.
How long does Spokeo keep my data after I opt out?
Spokeo removes your listing from search results within 24-72 hours. However, data from paid reports that others have already purchased may be retained. New data may also be collected from public records at any time.
Can I opt out on behalf of someone else?
Spokeo's opt-out form is self-service — anyone can submit a removal request for any listing. There's no identity verification beyond email confirmation. You can submit requests for family members, but they should use their own email for the confirmation.
Also Remove Yourself From
Spokeo is just one of dozens of data brokers. For maximum protection, also remove yourself from:
Whitepages
Phone verification required
BeenVerified
Straightforward process
Intelius
Also removes from ZabaSearch
MyLife
Phone-only removal
Your Legal Rights Against Spokeo Under State Law
Spokeo has a long history with privacy law: the Supreme Court's 2016 decision in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins (578 U.S. 330) examined standing requirements for statutory FCRA claims arising from Spokeo's profiles. Today, residents of 19 comprehensive-privacy states have stronger, faster tools. Under California's CCPA/CPRA, Civil Code §1798.105 gives you the right to request deletion of personal information, and §1798.120 gives you the right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of that information — which applies directly to Spokeo's business model.
Under Virginia's VCDPA §59.1-577 and Colorado's CPA §6-1-1306, covered controllers must respond to verifiable consumer requests within 45 days. Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), and Texas (TDPSA) apply similar timelines. Spokeo's public revenue thresholds (operating since 2006, millions of monthly visitors) clearly place it within the "controller" definition in every comprehensive-privacy state. If Spokeo denies your request or misses the statutory deadline, you may file a complaint with the state Attorney General or, in California, the California Privacy Protection Agency.
California's Delete Act (SB 362, signed October 2023) goes further: it requires every registered data broker — Spokeo is registered with the CPPA — to honor a unified deletion request beginning August 1, 2026, and pay annual registration fees that funded the state's 2024 broker registry. FTC enforcement history is also on your side: in 2012, Spokeo paid an $800,000 penalty for FCRA violations related to marketing consumer profiles for employment screening without compliance controls. State privacy laws now extend that accountability directly to individual deletion requests.
Track Your Progress
Use our Opt-Out Tracker to keep track of which brokers you've submitted requests to, when to follow up, and whether your data has been removed.