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Data Broker Opt-Out Checklist (Australia)

Most of the "104 broker opt-out" lists online are written for US residents — sites like Whitepages.com, Spokeo, and BeenVerified mostly hold US public records and won't have much on you unless you've lived/worked in the US. This list is scoped to what actually matters for someone in Australia.

Before you start

  • Set up a separate email address just for opt-out requests — expect some follow-up spam.
  • Keep a simple log (spreadsheet or notes app): site name, date requested, confirmation received, re-check date.
  • Have a copy of photo ID ready with all but your name/address blacked out — some brokers ask for it to verify identity before deleting records.

Tier 1 — Credit & marketing data brokers (highest priority)

These hold the most detailed profiles (name, address history, financial indicators). - Equifax Australia — privacy/opt-out request via their privacy policy page - illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet) — data correction/removal request form - Experian Australia — marketing opt-out + data access/deletion request

Tier 2 — People-search / directory sites with real AU listings

  • White Pages Australia (whitepages.com.au) — has an opt-out/removal form for phone directory listings
  • True Local — listing removal request
  • Search your own name + suburb to see if any similar aggregator sites have picked you up — these change often, so a periodic Google search of your own name is worth doing quarterly.

Tier 3 — Google search results themselves

Even if a site keeps your data, you can sometimes get Google to stop showing it in search: - Google's "Results about you" tool lets you request removal of pages showing your personal info (address, phone, ID numbers) from Google Search results, even if the underlying page still exists.

If a broker ignores your request

  1. Send the request directly to the company first (their privacy policy page will have contact details).
  2. Wait 30 days.
  3. If no action, lodge a free complaint with the OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) — oaic.gov.au. Under the Privacy Act 1988 / Australian Privacy Principles, this is your legal backstop.

Ongoing maintenance

  • Re-check the Tier 1–2 sites every 3–6 months — brokers re-acquire data from public records over time.
  • If you ever want the "set and forget" version of this, that's what paid services like DeleteMe primarily buy you: recurring re-submission, not access to anything you couldn't request yourself.