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Think your New Year’s privacy reset worked? Think again

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Think your New Year’s privacy reset worked? Think again

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At the start of the year, you did everything right. You searched your name, opted out of several data broker sites and deleted listings that exposed your address, phone number and relatives.

At first, it felt like a clean slate. However, here’s the uncomfortable truth: your data rarely stays gone. In many cases, February is when it quietly returns.

Privacy does not work as a one-time cleanup. Instead, it requires ongoing maintenance, because data brokers design their systems to outlast your best intentions.

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STOP DATA BROKERS FROM SELLING YOUR INFORMATION ONLINE
 

Cybersecurity advocates urge continuous monitoring to prevent data brokers from recreating deleted profiles. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

How data brokers re-list your information (even after you delete it)

Most people assume that once they remove their profile from a data broker site, it’s gone for good.

That’s not how the system works. Data brokers don’t “store” your information the way a normal website does. They rebuild it constantly using automated data feeds from:

  • Credit headers
  • Property and mortgage records
  • Utility registrations
  • Loyalty programs
  • App tracking efforts
  • Court filings and public databases
  • Online purchases and subscriptions

Every few weeks, their systems can re-ingest new records and match them to your identity. That means:

  • Your old address gets replaced with your new one
  • Your new phone number appears
  • Your relatives are updated
  • Your age, job history and household data refresh
  • Your digital footprint grows more detailed over time

Even if you removed your profile in January, the next data refresh can quietly re-create it in February under a slightly different variation of your name. This is why people often say: “I removed my data… and then found it again a month later.” It wasn’t a mistake. It’s how the business model works.

Why January cleanups still leave you exposed

Manual opt-outs feel empowering at first. However, they rarely last. The real issue is scale: hundreds of data brokers collect, trade and republish personal information, and many share data with one another. As a result, removing your profile from one site does not stop the spread. Instead:

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  • Another broker re-adds you using a new source
  • A third site scrapes the refreshed profile
  • A fourth copies the updated record
  • The cycle starts again

You’re not fighting one website. You’re fighting a self-healing network of databases that rebuild your profile every few weeks. That’s why January cleanups don’t protect you throughout the year. Scammers know this. They don’t just scrape old databases; they wait for newly refreshed lists that contain your:

  • Current phone number
  • Correct address
  • Relatives
  • Likely income range
  • Age and life stage

By February and March, those lists are already circulating again.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Experts warn January privacy cleanups may not last as data broker databases refresh in February. (Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

What scammers get when your profile is rebuilt

When your data comes back, it doesn’t just sit on a website. It becomes fuel for:

That’s why scams feel personal now.  Criminals often have access to:

  • Your current address
  • Names of relatives
  • Your age
  • Your likely income range

Rather than guessing, scammers search your profile and build their pitch around real details. That precision is what makes today’s fraud attempts so convincing.

What ‘ongoing removal’ actually protects against

This is where most people misunderstand privacy tools. The real threat isn’t the old profile you deleted. It’s the next version that gets created.

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Ongoing removal means:

  • Your data is constantly scanned across broker networks
  • New profiles are detected as soon as they appear
  • Fresh listings are removed automatically
  • Re-created records don’t get time to circulate.

Instead of playing whack-a-mole once a year, you block the rebuild cycle itself. This is the only way to stay ahead of systems designed to outlast you.

SPYWARE CAN HIJACK YOUR PHONE IN SECONDS

Ongoing data removal services aim to stop personal profiles from reappearing across broker networks. (Elisa Schu/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How to stop data brokers from rebuilding your profile

If you truly want to stay off data broker sites, you need a system that:

  1. Scans for new profiles
  2. Removes them as they appear
  3. Keeps doing it every month.

That’s what a data removal service was built for. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. 

These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. 

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By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Why this matters more in February than January

In January, people clean up their digital footprint. By contrast, February is when many data brokers refresh their databases and scammers begin working from newly updated lists. Instead of sending alerts, brokers quietly republish your details. 

You receive no warning when your profile reappears, and no notification when someone resells your information. As a result, most people only realize what happened after a scam email hits their inbox or a suspicious call lights up their phone. 

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For that reason, February becomes the moment of confusion. That is when readers often say, “I thought I already handled this.”

Kurt’s key takeaways

At the start of the year, you did what most people avoid. You searched your name, opted out of broker sites and took control of your information. However, privacy does not work like a one-time spring cleaning. Instead, it works more like lawn care. The moment you stop maintaining it, the growth returns. Data brokers constantly refresh and rebuild profiles. They pull from public records, commercial feeds and shared databases. As a result, when your profile reappears, scammers do not treat it like old data. They treat it like fresh intelligence. That is exactly why February matters. While January feels proactive, February is when many databases quietly update and republish information. So if you want lasting control, you need consistent monitoring and ongoing removal, not a single annual cleanup. The real objective is not simply deleting an old profile. Rather, it is stopping the next version from spreading in the first place. Ultimately, privacy is not about what you remove. It is about what never comes back.

Have you ever removed your personal information from a data broker site, only to find it listed again weeks later?  Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Stop data brokers from selling your information online

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Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening day

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Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a  million opening day

The Kane Parsons’ film Backrooms is expected to earn up to $90 million in its opening weekend after pulling down $38 million on Friday alone. That’s not only above expectations, but absolutely obliterates A24’s previous opening weekend record of $25.5 million for Alex Garland’s Civil War. It’s also a better opening day than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which only pulled down $33.7 million on its way to a total $81.6 million for the weekend.

That also means that Backrooms is an incredibly profitable movie, with an estimated $10 million budget. By comparison, the latest Star Wars disappointment cost $165 million and was considered affordable compared to other entries in the series.

While Backrooms hasn’t received quite as much universal praise as fellow low-budget horror breakout Obsession, it’s still largely getting positive reviews. It also adds to the growing number of YouTube creators (including Obsession’s Curry Barker) who have proven to be successful box office draws.

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Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

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Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

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A freight truck with no driver, no cab and no one sitting behind the wheel is starting to sound more familiar. In fact, this summer, that is exactly what is happening on local roads in Marysville, Ohio.

EASE Logistics, an Ohio-based logistics company, is partnering with autonomous truck technology company Einride to deploy two cab-less electric trucks between EASE warehouse locations. The two companies recently announced the proof-of-concept service.

The trucks will operate on EASE property and local public roads. They will move goods between warehouse locations while the companies collect data on warehousing, distribution and transportation operations.

The project is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The goal is to study how autonomous trucking affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

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AI TRUCK SYSTEM MATCHES TOP HUMAN DRIVERS IN MASSIVE SAFETY SHOWDOWN WITH PERFECT SCORES

Autonomous cab-less electric trucks are beginning real-world freight testing this summer on local roads in Marysville, Ohio, as EASE Logistics and Einride launch a new pilot program. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What are cab-less electric trucks?

These are not regular trucks with a driver waiting to take over. Einride’s vehicles are electric, autonomous and cab-less. That means there is no traditional driver’s seat, steering wheel area or cab built for a human operator.

The trucks use SAE Level 4 autonomous technology. In other words, the vehicle can drive itself under specific approved conditions without a human driver inside.

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However, the trucks will still have human oversight. A remote operator will monitor them from off-site and can intervene when needed. The companies say that setup helps keep operations running safely and smoothly during the test.

Where will the autonomous trucks operate?

The trucks will move freight between EASE Logistics warehouses in Marysville, Ohio. They will operate during the summer of 2026 on private property and local public roads.

That detail makes a difference because many autonomous vehicle tests happen in controlled settings. This project moves closer to normal freight work. These trucks will operate inside daily logistics

EASE says the deployment will generate data on how autonomous trucks affect warehouse movement, distribution timing and transportation operations. The companies want to see how this technology performs in the real world, where freight schedules and traffic conditions rarely behave perfectly.

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

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EASE Logistics and Einride will operate driverless electric freight trucks between Ohio warehouse locations while collecting data on safety, efficiency and logistics operations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why Ohio is testing cab-less electric trucks

Ohio has become an active testing ground for truck automation. This deployment extends the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio’s Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The project is designed to evaluate how autonomous technology affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

EASE President and CEO Peter Coratola, Jr., said, “EASE is proud to continue advancing the Truck Automation Corridor Project alongside DriveOhio and innovative partners like Einride.” He added, “Deployments like this help move autonomous trucking from controlled pilots into daily freight operations, where safety, reliability, and efficiency can be evaluated at scale.”

This also marks EASE Logistics’ third autonomous trucking deployment with DriveOhio. That puts the company among a small group of logistics providers testing multiple autonomous freight platforms in live operations.

How safe are cab-less electric trucks?

When people hear “driverless truck,” their first thought may not be efficiency. It may be, “What happens if something goes wrong?”

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That reaction is fair. These vehicles are large, heavy and operate near the public. So safety will shape how people judge this project.

Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli said, “Deploying these autonomous trucks in daily logistics operations with EASE reflects years of rigorous development and real-world validation.” He added, “Safety is not a feature we add to our technology; it is the foundation everything is built on.”

The companies also say a remote operator monitors the trucks off-site and can intervene if needed. That detail helps, but the public will still want clear answers about routes, oversight, emergency response and how remote operators step in. Those answers will become more important as autonomous trucks leave closed test areas and enter everyday traffic.

Why companies want driverless freight

For logistics companies, the appeal is easy to understand. Electric autonomous trucks could help move freight with fewer emissions, more predictable scheduling and tighter warehouse coordination.

Short warehouse-to-warehouse routes also make sense for early autonomous deployments. The route is limited. The operation is easier to study. The company can collect useful data without starting with long-haul trucking across several states.

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Still, the rollout will need to prove itself. Trucks must handle traffic, road conditions, pedestrians and unexpected behavior from human drivers. Those moments will test whether autonomous freight can deliver on its promise.

The future of autonomous trucking

Autonomous trucking has moved from bold promise to real-world testing. Yet the industry still has to earn public confidence.

This Ohio deployment gives EASE, Einride and transportation officials a chance to gather useful data. It also gives the public a closer look at what driverless freight looks like.

The cab-less design may be the most striking part. Removing the cab signals a bigger shift. These trucks are built around the idea that the vehicle, software and remote operations team can handle the job.

That marks a major change in how freight has worked for generations.

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 TESLA BUILDS A CAR WITH NO STEERING WHEEL. NOW WHAT?

Ohio officials are expanding autonomous freight testing with cab-less electric trucks operating on public roads under remote human supervision this summer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means to you

You may not live near Marysville, Ohio. Still, this test matters because it shows where freight transportation is heading.

If the project works well, more companies could look at autonomous trucks for warehouse-to-warehouse routes. That could change how goods move before they ever reach store shelves or your front door.

It could also raise new questions for workers. Logistics companies may need more people who can monitor, maintain and manage autonomous systems. At the same time, drivers and warehouse workers will want honest answers about how these trucks could affect jobs over time.

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For consumers, the biggest issue may be trust. People will want proof that these vehicles can operate safely around regular traffic. They will also want transparency when something goes wrong.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Cab-less electric trucks on Ohio roads may sound alarming at first. But this project shows how quickly autonomous freight is moving into real logistics work. The EASE and Einride deployment still has plenty to prove. Safety, public trust, worker impact and day-to-day reliability will all matter. However, this summer’s test could give the trucking industry a clearer look at what comes next. Driverless freight may start with short warehouse routes. Over time, it could reshape how goods move across the country.

Would you feel comfortable sharing the road with a cab-less electric truck if no driver was inside, but a remote operator was watching from miles away?  Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

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Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

It’s the world’s worst kept secret that Nvidia is about to announce its own Arm-powered laptop chips at Computex this weekend, and now Microsoft, Nvidia, and Arm are all openly teasing the announcement. The Windows and Nvidia GeForce accounts on X both posted “A new era of PC” earlier today, and now Arm has followed up with an identical post.

All three posts include coordinates pointing to where Computex is hosted in Taipei. Nvidia is holding a Computex keynote in Taipei at 8PM PT / 11PM ET on Sunday night, where it’s rumored to be announcing its new N1 and N1x laptop chips.

These Arm-powered Nvidia processors have been long-rumored, with reports earlier this year suggesting that both Lenovo and Dell have been preparing new laptops with the N1X chips. We first heard rumors about Nvidia’s laptop processors in 2023, and Dell CEO Michael Dell hinted at the possibility of an AI PC with Nvidia during an interview in 2024.

Nvidia’s entry into Windows on Arm will mean Qualcomm will no longer have an exclusive license for Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm variant of its operating system. That’s good news for laptop competition, even if Qualcomm is trying to keep entry-level laptops affordable with its new Snapdragon C platform.

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