Technology

Think you can delete your data yourself? Here’s why you’re probably wrong

Published

8 months ago

May 1, 2025

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Think you can delete your data yourself? Here’s why you’re probably wrong

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None of us signed up for our personal info to be bought and sold online. Between data brokers, people-search sites and all the other places our details end up, it happens constantly and usually without us even realizing it.

If you’ve ever Googled yourself and found your phone number or home address floating around on some shady-looking website, you know the feeling.

If that’s you, you probably started looking for ways to remedy the situation and may be wondering if it’s better to remove your personal information from the web yourself or use a data removal service. I’ve tried both, and here’s what I’ve learned.

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A woman working on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Doing it yourself sounds doable, at first

When the data broker problem first got on my radar (granted, it was because data removal services started to emerge), I figured I could just opt out on my own. After all, most of them have opt-out pages with a process. Whitepages, one of the most popular people-search sites, for example, has the following process.

Search for your name and address on Whitepages, find the correct listing and copy the URL of your profile.
Go to the Whitepages suppression page, paste the URL into the field and send the removal request. This includes several sub-steps, like verifying your data, stating the reason for your request and providing a contact phone number.
Whitepages will call you soon after to verify your identity. If you miss the call, you’ll have to start the process again.

This is just one example, but other search sites have similar opt-out processes, give or take a few steps.

A man working on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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The reality check: Why manual removal becomes overwhelming fast

If you want to remove your information from all (or most) of the data brokers that have it, here’s what you’ll have to do.

Find the brokers that have your data. There are hundreds out there. You can find the public-facing data brokers, or people-search sites, by doing a quick Google search. However, private data brokers that sell datasets B2B (business-to-business) require a little more digging. You may have to just figure out which ones operate in your area and send removal requests to them all.
Submit opt-out requests to each one. Read through their opt-out instructions (some of which are intentionally vague or buried) and go through the process one by one.
Repeat the process periodically. Data brokers often re-collect your info unless you keep checking in and submitting new requests. It’s not a one-and-done situation. If you’re committed to keeping your data private, you’ll need to keep monitoring and removing it.

It’s definitely doable, but not painless. Some sites make it easier, but others require you to upload your ID (not recommended), ask you to send snail mail or outright reject your request unless you use a specific email domain, not to mention all the CAPTCHAs that feel like they were designed to break your spirit.

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A woman working on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Data removal services automate this process

I’ve since tried using a data removal service that automates the opt-out process, handling the complexities on your behalf. See below for what this gives you.

Comprehensive coverage: They maintain updated lists of data brokers and their opt-out procedures, so your information is removed from more sources than you’d manage on your own.
Time efficiency: Because most of them use automation, you don’t really have to do anything beyond signing up and monitoring the progress. This saves you significant time and effort.
Ongoing removals: As long as you’re subscribed, these services continue to monitor and remove your information from data broker sites, so you know it won’t pop up again.

I didn’t have to babysit the process, and I didn’t have to guess whether it was working. I just got updates when the removals were confirmed.

Let’s break it down

If you’re still weighing your options, here’s how the two approaches stack up.

Manual opt-outs demand a significant time investment, requiring you to personally navigate each data broker’s unique removal process. While free, this approach offers variable coverage depending on how diligently you track down brokers, and consistency is challenging; you’ll need to repeat the process regularly to keep your data private. Success also depends heavily on your ability to decipher vague opt-out instructions and adapt to each broker’s requirements.

In contrast, data removal services save time by handling the legwork for you. They provide broad coverage by targeting numerous brokers simultaneously and maintain consistency through ongoing monitoring. While these services come with subscription fees, they eliminate the need for personal expertise, offering a hands-off solution to data privacy.

The bottom line: Why personal data removal services win the privacy battle

After testing both manual opt-outs and automated services, using a personal data removal service emerges as the clear solution for reclaiming your data. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

If you’ve got the time and patience, you can absolutely take the DIY route. But if you’re looking for a way to protect your privacy without sinking hours into research, filling out forms and monitoring, a data removal service makes things a lot quicker and more convenient. For most people, this is likely the better option. Many states have privacy laws that give you the right to request that data brokers remove your personal information, but the system seems to be rigged to make exercising those rights unreasonably difficult. While it shouldn’t be necessary, data removal services offer a way to cheat that system.

Do you think stronger protections are needed to shield you from the challenges and risks posed by data brokers and their handling of your personal information? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Technology

Chrome rolls out AI podcast feature on Android

Published

20 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Chrome rolls out AI podcast feature on Android

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Chrome on Android now offers a fresh way to digest information when your hands are busy or your eyes need a break.

A new update powered by Google Gemini can turn written webpages into short podcast-style summaries. Two virtual hosts chat about the content, making it feel easier to follow during your commute or while you multitask.

This upgrade builds on Chrome’s long-standing read-aloud tool, yet now adds a more natural and lively delivery. It does not work on every website, so some pages will still use the original word-for-word reading. When the AI option appears, though, the audio feels polished and smooth.

Below is how to try it on your Android phone right now.

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HOW TO DISABLE GEMINI AI ON ANDROID AND KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR APPS

Make sure you have the newest Chrome version so the AI podcast feature works. (Cyberguy.com)

Update Chrome before you start

First, make sure Chrome is current in the Play Store by opening the Play Store, searching for Google Chrome and tapping Update if it appears. The AI podcast feature works with version 140.0.7339.124 or newer, so confirm you have at least that version installed. Once you finish the update, open Chrome and pick any webpage with text you want to hear.

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open the More menu

Tap the More icon or the three vertical dots in the upper right corner. This reveals a set of options that control how Chrome displays or reads the page.

Select Listen to this page

Choose Listen to this page. You will see a small Generating AI playback banner at the bottom. The processing is fast, so you will not wait long.

Hear the AI hosts discuss the page

Chrome will start a mini podcast with two voices talking through the content. You can tap the playback bar to pause, rewind or jump ahead. The panel stays on screen and follows you as you scroll.

Switch to standard playback when you want

The AI audio keeps going even if you leave the webpage. If you prefer a traditional word-for-word readback, tap the AI playback icon in the lower left and pick Standard Playback.

Chrome begins creating the AI audio as soon as you tap the “Listen to this Page” option. (iStock)

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What this means to you

This feature can make long articles easier to absorb when you are on the move. You get a quick, conversational rundown without having to read a full page. It also helps you revisit information faster since the controls work like any audio player. If you enjoy podcasts, this tool gives you a familiar way to stay informed without draining your attention.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Chrome’s AI podcast feature brings a new layer of convenience to Android. It saves time, reduces eye strain and turns everyday browsing into a hands-free audio experience. Since it still supports the standard read-aloud mode, you can switch back anytime.

Would you use AI hosts to read your favorite websites, or do you prefer the classic readback style? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Using the new update powered by Google Gemini, you can change from the AI podcast to a simple word-for-word reading at any time. (“I’ve Had It” YouTube channel)

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Even Trump’s chief of staff was ‘aghast’ at Elon Musk’s deadly USAID cuts

Published

12 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Even Trump’s chief of staff was ‘aghast’ at Elon Musk’s deadly USAID cuts

Wiles says she called Musk on the carpet. “You can’t just lock people out of their offices,” she recalls telling him. At first, Wiles didn’t grasp the effect that slashing USAID programs would have on humanitarian aid. “I didn’t know a lot about the extent of their grant making.” But with immunizations halted in Africa, lives would be lost. Soon she was getting frantic calls from relief agency heads and former government officials with a dire message: Thousands of lives were in the balance.

Wiles continued: “So Marco is on his way to Panama. We call him and say, ‘You’re Senate-confirmed. You’re going to have to be the custodian, essentially, of [USAID].’ ‘Okay,’ he says.” But Musk forged ahead—all throttle, no brake. “Elon’s attitude is you have to get it done fast. If you’re an incrementalist, you just won’t get your rocket to the moon,” Wiles said. “And so with that attitude, you’re going to break some china. But no rational person could think the USAID process was a good one. Nobody.”

Technology

OpenAI announces upgrades for ChatGPT Images with ‘4x faster generation speed’

Published

12 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

OpenAI announces upgrades for ChatGPT Images with ‘4x faster generation speed’

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OpenAI announced an update for ChatGPT Images that it says drastically improves both the generation speed and instruction-following capability of its image generator.

A blog post from the company Tuesday says the update will make it much easier to make precise edits to AI-generated images. Previous iterations of the program have struggled to follow instructions and often make unasked-for changes.

“The update includes much stronger instruction following, highly precise editing, and up to 4x faster generation speed, making image creation and iteration much more usable,” the company wrote.

“This marks a shift from novelty image generation to practical, high-fidelity visual creation — turning ChatGPT into a fast, flexible creative studio for everyday edits, expressive transformations, and real-world use.”

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The OpenAI GPT-5 logo appears on a smartphone screen and as a background on a laptop screen in this photo illustration in Athens, Greece. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The announcement comes just weeks after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared a “code red” in a memo within his company to improve the quality of ChatGPT.

In the document, Altman said OpenAI has more work to do on enhancing the day-to-day experience of its chatbot, such as allowing it to answer a wider range of questions and improving its speed, reliability and personalization features for users, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The reported company-wide memo from Altman comes as competitors have narrowed OpenAI’s lead in the AI race. Google last month released a new version of its Gemini model that surpassed OpenAI on industry benchmark tests.

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The OpenAI logo Feb. 16, 2025 (Reuters/Dado Ruvic)

To focus on the “code red” effort to improve ChatGPT, OpenAI will be pushing back work on other initiatives, such as a personal assistant called Pulse, advertising and AI agents for health and shopping, Altman said in the memo, according to the Journal.

Altman also said the company would have a daily call among those responsible for enhancing ChatGPT, the newspaper added.

“Our focus now is to keep making ChatGPT more capable, continue growing, and expand access around the world — while making it feel even more intuitive and personal,” Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT, wrote on X Monday night.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the Federal Reserve’s Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2025. (Reuters/Ken Cedeno)

OpenAI currently isn’t profitable and has to raise funding to survive compared to competitors like Google, which can fund investments in their AI ventures through revenue, the Journal reported.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on X: @Hagstrom_Anders.