What is MyLife?
MyLife is a popular data broker and reputation management platform that collects personal information from public records and other sources to create detailed profiles on individuals. According to a recent report, MyLife boasts a database of over 325 million people.
The personal details MyLife exposes can include:
- Full names and aliases
- Age and date of birth
- Current and past home addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Names of relatives
- Criminal records
- Bankruptcies and liens
- Lawsuits
- Employment history
- Educational background
- Social media profiles
- Photos and more
This sensitive information is made publicly searchable, allowing anyone to look up a person’s MyLife profile and access these private details. Understandably, many people have privacy concerns about their personal data being so readily available online.
MyLife isn’t the only data broker causing privacy concerns. Other sites like SearchPeopleFree, CocoFinder, and FastPeopleSearch engage in similar practices. However, MyLife does have some unique features that can make it particularly problematic from a privacy standpoint.
Why You Should Opt Out of MyLife
Having your personal information exposed on data broker sites like MyLife can make you vulnerable to various risks:
- Spam and telemarketing – Your phone number and email being public can lead to a flood of unsolicited messages.
- Identity theft – Scammers can use your data to commit fraud or steal your identity.
- Online harassment – Stalkers and bullies can easily find your contact info and other details.
- Reputational harm – Inaccurate or outdated negative information, like old criminal records, can damage your reputation. Some MyLife alternatives like Social Catfish also provide a platform for individuals to post potentially damaging personal reviews and reputation scores.
- Loss of privacy – You may simply not want your private details so readily accessible to anyone online.
Opting out of MyLife is an important step in protecting your online privacy and security. Fortunately, while it takes a bit of effort, it is possible to remove your information from MyLife’s database.
How to Remove Your Info from MyLife
There are three main ways to get your personal data off of MyLife and other data broker sites:
- Use an automated opt-out service like Optery. This will continuously monitor and remove your profiles from dozens of data brokers on your behalf.
- Manually opt out of MyLife using their online form or by contacting customer support directly. This can be time-consuming but allows you to handle it yourself.
- If you’re a California resident, take advantage of your CCPA rights to request your data be deleted from brokers that fall under this law’s jurisdiction.
For most people, the manual opt-out process is the way to go if tackling MyLife as a one-off. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:
Step 1: Locate Your MyLife Profile URL
Go to the MyLife homepage at https://www.mylife.com/. Your profile URL is required to submit an opt-out request. To find yours:
- Scroll to the very bottom and click “Do Not Sell My Personal Information“.
- On the opt-out form page, click the link that says “Find URL of Reputation Profile by last name“.
- In the pop-up, click the first letter of your last name.
- Continue narrowing down the search results by clicking the relevant name groupings. Keep drilling down until you locate your name.
- Once you find your profile, click to open it. Close out of any pop-up windows.
- Now copy the URL of your profile page from the address bar. You’ll need to paste this in the opt-out form.
Step 2: Fill Out MyLife’s Opt Out Form
Back on the opt-out page, fill in your personal details in the provided fields:
- First and last name
- City
- State
- Zip code
- Profile URL (paste the link you copied in Step 1)
- Email address (use a disposable address, not your primary one!)
Check the box confirming you’re a California resident only if you are one. Otherwise, leave it unchecked.
Complete the security CAPTCHA to prove you’re human. Then hit the “Opt Out” button to submit the form.
Step 3: Await Confirmation of Removal
After submitting your opt-out request, you should see a confirmation message on the screen that your request was received.
MyLife states that they will process the removal within 7-14 business days. Mark your calendar to check back after this timeframe to ensure your profile was taken down.
You can also keep an eye out for a confirmation email from MyLife, though it’s not guaranteed they’ll send one. If your information is still showing after 2+ weeks, contact their support to follow up on your removal request.
Alternative Opt Out Methods for MyLife
In addition to the online form, there are two other ways you can request your opt-out from MyLife:
Contact MyLife Customer Support
Find the phone number and email address for MyLife’s customer support on their Contact page. You can call or email them directly to request your information be removed.
Make sure to have your profile URL handy to share with the support rep. Follow up after a couple weeks if you don’t hear back.
Submit a CCPA Data Deletion Request
California residents have the right to request companies delete their personal data under the CCPA consumer privacy law. MyLife is subject to CCPA compliance.
To make a CCPA request:
- Follow Steps 1-2 above to submit the online opt-out form on MyLife’s site. Under the email field, check the box saying “I am a resident of California.”
- Alternatively, you can email your request to MyLife at privacy@mylife.com. Include your name, MyLife profile URL, California residence, and a clear request to have your personal data deleted. Mention that it is a CCPA data deletion request.
MyLife has 45 days to comply with CCPA requests, though they can extend this period by another 45 days when reasonably necessary (providing notice to you).
Key Takeaways
- MyLife is a data broker that exposes individuals’ sensitive personal info in online profiles that anyone can access. Opting out is crucial to protect your privacy and security.
- There are 3 ways to remove your info from MyLife: 1) Automated opt-out services, 2) Manual opt-out process, 3) CCPA data deletion request (CA residents only).
- To manually opt out, locate your MyLife profile URL and submit it via their online opt-out form. Alternatively, contact customer support by phone or email.
- After opting out, check back in 2 weeks to ensure your profile was removed. Follow up with MyLife if needed.
- Consider setting reminders to regularly check for your info on data broker sites and processing new opt-outs as needed. Staying on top of your online privacy is an ongoing task.
FAQ
How long does it take MyLife to remove my information?
MyLife typically processes opt-outs within 7-14 business days from receiving the request. CCPA data deletion requests may take up to 45 days (with the possibility to extend another 45 days).
Can I opt out of MyLife by phone?
Yes, you can call MyLife’s customer support number to request your profile be removed. Have your profile URL ready to share with the rep.
How often should I check for my info on data broker sites like MyLife?
We recommend auditing your presence on data broker sites every 3-6 months and processing opt-outs as needed. You can also use an automated service to handle this on an ongoing basis.
Will opting out of MyLife remove my info from other data brokers too?
No, unfortunately you need to opt out of each data broker individually. MyLife is just one of many sites that trade in personal data. We have guides on removing your info from other major data brokers in our privacy center.
What if I’m not a California resident? Can I still do a CCPA deletion request with MyLife?
The CCPA rights only apply to California residents. If you’re located elsewhere, you’ll need to use the normal opt-out methods detailed above. But non-Californians can still complete the opt-out process, it just won’t be under CCPA rules.
