Control Your Privacy Series: What is RocketReach and what are your opt-out options?

Every day, internet users generate tremendous amounts of data which is ultimately collected, stored and traded by big data companies from all around the world.

Once in their possession, these companies analyze your data to create comprehensive user profiles that are usually sold to advertisers and other interested parties.

In this article, we focus on RocketReach, a US-based data broker that curates a massive database containing the contact information of over 700 million professionals.

Even if you haven’t heard of RocketReach yet, they’ve probably collected plenty of data points about you in their database. Its official website describes RocketReach as “the world’s best contacts, curated for you,” and by you, they mean marketing, sales and recruiters in all industry verticals.

The “curated” information combines scraped data from public sources which may include LinkedIn and “X” (formerly Twitter), and may include, among others your name, email address, phone numbers and social media links.

So what makes RocketReach a potential privacy/security threat for the average consumer?

For starters, most people who find their information on the platforms are not aware that they are being profiled and that their data is sold to third parties.

Secondly, for as little as $35, anyone can look up users in their database. This includes cybercriminals, scammers and other malicious individuals you have cut off from your life.

If you are worried about your data being misused or exploited, there is an opt-out option for individuals who already have a profile with RocketReach.

Here’s what you need to do to remove your information from RocketReach:

1.     Locate your profile on RocketReach

- Head to rocketreach.co/person and type in your name (you can use the dedicated filters to refine your search) -> click Add

- You need to sign up to look yourself up on the platform

- You can use the filter options for a more refined search

2.     Once you’ve found your profile copy the URL and head to rocketreach.co/claim-profile

- Here you need to fill out some personal information, including name email address and copy-paste the URL

- Click on Submit Request

3.     Check your inbox for verification emails from RocketReach and follow the instructions

- You should see a Claim Profile button

4.     In the nest page, you should select the Remove My Profile option

- You will automatically receive a message reading “Your profile has been removed”

- However, please note that the company emphasized that it may take “several weeks” for these changes to take effect.

Do you want to keep track of your digital footprint and find out what data is publicly available and ready for harvesting by data brokers and other third parties?

Get Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection, so you will always know what happens with your data. Digital Identity Protection helps you keep tabs on personal information with a 360-degree view of your digital footprint. The dedicated tool also proactively scans the web for personal data leaks and data breaches so you can immediately act to secure your accounts and identity.

Keep track of your digital footprint today with just your email address and phone number!