Online privacy is more important than ever before. As data brokers aggregate our personal information without permission, the risk of doxxing, identity theft, and cyber crimes continues to rise. Services like DeleteMe and Optery offer solutions by opting internet users out of data broker websites and removing private details from the web.
But how exactly do these online privacy services stack up? In this in-depth comparison guide, we will evaluate DeleteMe and Optery side-by-side on features, pricing, and real customer reviews. By the end, you’ll know which identity protection service you should choose to take back control of your personal data.
The tide is turning against unrestrained data collection. People are searching for deleteme vs optery and similar comparisons more than ever before. Let’s dive in to see which privacy hero comes out on top – DeleteMe or Optery.
Background on Data Brokers and Doxxing
Data brokers like Acxiom, LexisNexis, and Spokeo operate in the shadows, compiling incredibly detailed profiles on millions of people without their consent. They get this personal data from public records, website cookies, loyalty programs, and other sources.
These data broker profiles often include full names, home addresses, phone numbers, browsing history, purchase data, and more. All of this sensitive information gets bundled up and sold to whoever is willing to pay – including shady businesses and cyber criminals.
This unrestrained trade and collection of personal data has led to a surge in doxxing, fraud, and identity theft. Hackers can buy data broker profiles to expose people’s private details online (doxxing) or steal their identity to commit crimes.
Worryingly, data brokers face little regulation or oversight. As awareness grows about these secretive companies, online privacy services like DeleteMe and Optery have emerged to help people take back control of their data.
DeleteMe Overview
Founded in 2009 by two college students, DeleteMe is one of the first and most well-known online privacy services. They’ve removed over 2 billion personal data points from data brokers on behalf of their customers.
DeleteMe offers an automated process to opt you out of major data broker and people search sites. Once you sign up, you’re assigned a privacy advocate who personally handles the removal process for you.
Key features of DeleteMe include:
- Opting out of leading data brokers like Acxiom, Whitepages, and Spokeo
- Scrubbing personal info from social media sites like Facebook and Twitter
- Monitoring your details to request new removals when info reappears
- 24/7 support from privacy advocates
For pricing, DeleteMe offers yearly subscription plans ranging from $129 to $329 per year. They also offer a free Chrome extension that lets you auto-fill opt out forms as you browse the web.
Optery Overview
Founded in 2017, Optery is a newer privacy service with a focus on deep web scans and financial account removal. Their custom web crawler scours over 50 billion web pages to find and delete your details.
Key features of Optery include:
- Removing your info from major and niche data brokers
- Deep web scans reaching far beyond surface websites
- Opting out of credit card companies and financial sites
- Monitoring services with email alerts when new info appears
- Identity theft insurance up to $1 million
Optery pricing starts at $39 per year for Core plans. Their Ultimate subscription with unlimited opt outs costs $249.
Comparing Features
Now let’s dive deeper into the key features of each service to see how they stack up:
- Data Broker Opt Outs: DeleteMe and Optery both submit opt out requests to major data brokers like Acxiom, Whitepages, LexisNexis, and more. Optery goes further by opting you out of niche, smaller brokers too.
- Social Media Scrubbing: DeleteMe lets you remove personal info from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Optery currently does not offer social media removal.
- Deep Web Scans: Optery’s custom web crawler scans 50 billion pages including the deep web. DeleteMe does not mention deep web scans.
- Monitoring New Data: Both services continually monitor for your data to request new opt outs when your info reappears online.
- Customer Support: DeleteMe assigns you a personal privacy advocate for white glove service. Optery has email and phone support options.
- Identity Theft Insurance: Optery offers ID theft insurance up to $1 million. DeleteMe does not include insurance.
Cost Comparison
DeleteMe offers three pricing tiers:
- 1 Year, 1 Person: $10.75/mo ($129/year)
- 1 Year, 2 Person: $19.08/mo ($229/year)
- 2 Years, 2 People: $14.54/mo ($349/2 years)
Two key advantages are DeleteMe’s free Chrome extension and lack of setup fees.
Optery’s pricing is:
- Core: $3.99/month or $39/year. Automated removal from 110+ sites.
- Extended: $14.99/month or $149/year. Automated removal from 170+ sites.
- Ultimate: $24.99/month or $249/year. Automated removal from all 270+ sites plus custom opt-outs.
The premium annual plan offers higher limits on opt out requests.
Both have free trial options to test the services first.
Customer Reviews
Now let’s see what actual customers have to say about DeleteMe and Optery:
DeleteMe
- 85% positive customer rating on Trustpilot
- Praise for excellent customer service and quick opt outs
- Some complaints about slow response times and limited social media removals
Optery
- 92% positive customer rating on Trustpilot
- Fast bulk opt outs and web crawler praised
- Limited cases of data reappearing after removal
- Requests for more transparency into opt out process
Overall, both services have received mostly positive feedback for their effectiveness removing private details. Optery appears to be slightly ahead when it comes to customer satisfaction and reviews.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In summary, while Optery comes out ahead for its lower pricing, highly effective bulk opt outs, and faster customer support, DeleteMe remains a great choice particularly for its social media removals.
Depending on your priorities and budget, either service will significantly improve your online privacy and reduce risks associated with data brokers. For social media scrubbing and premium support, go with DeleteMe. But for the most affordable and extensive data removal, choose Optery.
The bottom line is that services like DeleteMe and Optery fill an important role in the growing fight to take control of our personal data. As more people search for “deleteme vs optery” and turn to privacy protection, data brokers’ unchecked power can be reduced.
Whichever service you select, the time is now to reclaim your digital privacy.
