Yes, DeleteMe is a real privacy service built and run by Abine, Inc., and it works by sending opt-out requests to data brokers for you. The catch is results: a 2024 Consumer Reports study found it removed 27% of results from the people-search sites it tested within 4 months, so it isn't a magic eraser.
Typing your own name into Google and spotting your home address on a stranger's website is a nasty surprise, and it's why DeleteMe gets so many searches. It's a paid service that promises to clean that up, so it's fair to ask if it's legit before handing over personal details. I've gone through its own site and what Wikipedia reports about independent reviews.
Who runs DeleteMe and where it came from
DeleteMe's website says it's built and run by Abine, Inc., which it calls The Online Privacy Company. According to Wikipedia, DeleteMe was founded in 2010 by Rob Shavell, Eugene Kuznetsov and Andrew Sudbury, and is now an online privacy service provided by Abine.
One quick warning on names. A different company uses a very similar web address and describes itself as a global privacy platform. Everything on this page is about the service at joindeleteme.com, run by Abine, so check the address before you pay anyone.
How DeleteMe says its removal service works
Data brokers and people-search sites build profiles with details such as names, addresses, phone numbers and relatives. DeleteMe's pitch is that it does the opt-out paperwork so you don't have to. Its site describes the process like this:
- You give it your personal details securely.
- Its team searches hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites to find where your information appears.
- Its experts and software submit opt-out and removal requests.
- It keeps monitoring and removes information on an ongoing basis.
DeleteMe's FAQ says you'll receive a first progress report within seven days of signing up. It also says it sends opt-out requests only to brokers that hold your data and avoids blind opt-outs. Sending requests to firms that have nothing on you could create new records, so that detail is worth noting.
What DeleteMe can't do for you
It's easy to expect too much from a removal service. DeleteMe's own site says it can't directly remove Google search results. It removes the information from the source websites first, then asks Google to update its results. So a page can linger in search for a while after the source is cleaned up.
Removal is also a repeating job. Brokers refresh their data, which is why DeleteMe talks about ongoing monitoring rather than a one-off clean. If you stop the service, nothing stops the same sites listing you again.
What independent reviews say about DeleteMe
This is the section to read before paying. Wikipedia reports that a 2024 Consumer Reports study found DeleteMe removed 27% of results from 13 tested people-search sites within 4 months of sign-up, compared with 70% for manual removals. Consumer Reports rated it a midlevel performer among similar services.
On the other side, Wikipedia notes that the New York Times Wirecutter section called DeleteMe the best data removal service in 2025. Two respected sources, two different conclusions, which tells you results depend on what's being measured and when. My honest read is that it does real work, but you shouldn't expect every listing to vanish quickly.
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Who runs it? | Abine, Inc., according to DeleteMe's own site |
| What does it do? | Sends opt-out requests to data brokers and monitors for new listings |
| First progress report? | Within seven days of signing up, per its FAQ |
| Independent testing? | Consumer Reports found 27% removed from 13 sites in 4 months |
| Can it clear Google? | Not directly; it removes the source pages and asks Google to update |
Privacy: what you hand over to DeleteMe
A privacy service needs your details to work, so you're giving a company your name, address and similar information in order to hide it elsewhere. That's a trade-off to accept knowingly. Wikipedia says Consumer Reports flagged that DeleteMe's privacy policy allows user data to be sold or transferred in a business transaction, and that some privacy-minded customers might not like that.
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Read the current privacy policy before you sign up, and only provide the details you're comfortable sharing. If you want to tighten the rest of your accounts as well, my comparison of password manager options is a good next step.
Scams that borrow the DeleteMe name
People worried about their data are exactly who scammers like to target. Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue saying your information is exposed and offering to fix it for a fee.
- Go to the service by typing its address yourself, not through a link in a message.
- Never share one-time codes or account passwords with anyone claiming to be support.
- Ignore texts or emails that say your data has been found and demand urgent payment.
- Use the help centre on the real site for questions rather than numbers in ads.
If you think an account has already been compromised, my guide on checking whether an account was hacked walks through the signs.
Is DeleteMe worth considering? My verdict
DeleteMe isn't a scam. It's a real service run by a named company and it does the opt-out work it describes. But the independent testing I found shows partial results, it can't instantly clear search engines and you'll need to keep it going for the benefit to last. I haven't included any prices or refund terms here because I couldn't confirm them from its pages, so check its pricing and cancellation terms for your situation before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeleteMe a real company?
Yes. Its website says it's built and run by Abine, Inc., and Wikipedia says it was founded in 2010.
Does DeleteMe remove my data?
It sends opt-out requests to data brokers on your behalf. A 2024 Consumer Reports study cited by Wikipedia found it removed 27% of results from 13 tested people-search sites within 4 months.
Can DeleteMe remove Google results?
Not directly. Its site says it removes the source sites first, then asks Google to update its results.
How soon do I hear from DeleteMe?
Its FAQ says you'll receive a first progress report within seven days of signing up.
Is my information safe with DeleteMe?
Check its current privacy policy. Consumer Reports flagged that it allows user data to be sold or transferred in a business transaction.
