Our Methodology

How we research data brokers, document opt-out procedures, and build tools for privacy protection.

Data Broker Research

PrivacyFix researches data brokers through direct examination of their public-facing websites, privacy policies, and opt-out procedures. Our broker profiles are built from:

  • Direct website review: We visit each data broker's site to document what data types they collect, sell, or display.
  • Opt-out testing: We test opt-out procedures for difficulty, time required, and effectiveness.
  • Privacy policy analysis: We review each broker's privacy policy to understand data sources, use cases, and consumer rights.
  • State regulatory filings: For states with data broker registration requirements (Vermont, California, Texas), we reference official registries.
  • Consumer reports: We track publicly reported experiences from privacy advocates, journalists, and researchers.

Difficulty Ratings

Each broker's opt-out difficulty is rated on a 1–5 scale based on:

  • Process complexity: Number of steps required, account creation requirements, form complexity.
  • Verification burden: Whether the broker requires email verification, identity verification, or physical mail.
  • Time investment: Estimated minutes to complete a single opt-out.
  • Re-opt-out frequency: How often the opt-out must be renewed (some brokers re-populate removed records).

Privacy Audit Tool

The Privacy Audit questionnaire creates a personalized action plan by asking about your public profile size, the sensitivity of your information, and your threat model. The recommendations are based on documented opt-out effectiveness for each data broker category and the estimated effort-to-impact ratio for different actions.

No personal information entered into the audit is stored or transmitted. All processing happens in your browser.

Opt-Out Tracker

The Opt-Out Tracker stores your progress data locally in your browser using localStorage. No account is required. Your tracker data never leaves your device.

State Rights Database

State privacy rights information is researched from enacted state legislation (CCPA/CPRA, VCDPA, CPA, etc.) and state attorney general guidance documents. We update this database when new state laws take effect or when significant amendments are enacted.

Limitations

  • Data broker opt-out procedures change frequently — guides may become outdated between update cycles.
  • Effectiveness of opt-outs varies — some brokers reliably honor removals, others re-populate records from other sources.
  • New data brokers emerge constantly — our coverage of 750+ brokers is comprehensive but not exhaustive.
  • State privacy laws evolve rapidly — verify current law with official state sources for legal purposes.