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What is Internet Scrubbing?

Published in Digital Privacy 3 mins read

Internet scrubbing refers to the comprehensive process of removing or minimizing personal information, unwanted content, and traces of online activity from various online platforms and search engine results. It's essentially a digital decluttering and privacy-enhancing initiative aimed at cleaning up one's online presence.

Why is Internet Scrubbing Important?

In today's interconnected world, nearly every interaction leaves a digital footprint. Internet scrubbing is crucial for several reasons, primarily revolving around privacy, reputation management, and security.

  • Enhanced Privacy: Individuals often find that old information, public records, or forgotten social media posts compromise their desired level of privacy. Scrubbing helps regain control over what personal data is publicly accessible.
  • Reputation Management: Negative reviews, outdated professional information, or embarrassing past posts can significantly impact one's personal or professional reputation. Removing or minimizing these helps cultivate a positive online image.
  • Reduced Cyber Risks: Less personal information available online means fewer opportunities for identity theft, phishing attacks, doxing, or other forms of cybercrime.
  • Control Over Your Digital Footprint: It empowers individuals to consciously shape their online narrative and ensure that the information accessible to employers, clients, or the general public accurately reflects who they are today.

What Information Can Be Targeted for Scrubbing?

The scope of internet scrubbing can be broad, covering a wide range of data points that contribute to your online presence.

Type of Information Common Sources
Personal Identifiable Info (PII) Data broker sites, old directories, public records
Outdated Social Media Posts Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn
Negative Online Content Reviews sites, forums, news archives, blogs
Photos & Videos Image hosting sites, social media, news articles
Old Professional Details Outdated LinkedIn profiles, old company websites
Search Engine Results Google, Bing, Yahoo search results
Unwanted Mentions News articles, forum discussions, blog comments

How Does Internet Scrubbing Work?

The process of scrubbing the internet often involves a combination of manual efforts and, in some cases, the use of specialized services.

  1. Identify and Audit Your Digital Footprint: The first step involves searching for your name, email addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information across various search engines and platforms. This helps to identify where your data exists.
  2. Contact Websites and Platforms Directly: For content on social media, personal blogs, or specific websites, you can directly request removal. Most platforms have privacy settings or content removal policies.
  3. Opt-Out from Data Broker Sites: Many companies, known as data brokers, collect and sell personal information. You can typically visit these sites (e.g., WhitePages, Spokeo, MyLife) and follow their specific opt-out procedures to have your data removed.
  4. Request Search Engine De-indexing: For information that appears in search results but is difficult to remove from the original source, you can sometimes request that search engines like Google de-index specific URLs, especially if the content is sensitive or outdated (e.g., under "right to be forgotten" laws in some regions).
  5. Remove Old Accounts: Deactivating or deleting old email accounts, social media profiles, or forum memberships that you no longer use is a crucial step.
  6. Monitor Your Online Presence: Internet scrubbing is not a one-time task. New information can appear online regularly, making ongoing monitoring essential to maintain a clean digital footprint.

By taking these proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce their online exposure and protect their digital privacy.