The Dishonorable Data Broker List

1. What is a Dishonorable Data Broker?

Optery is proud to cover hundreds of data brokers. However, based on our direct experience submitting removal requests on behalf of our customers, we designate a small group of businesses as “Dishonorable Data Brokers” (DDBs) because, in our experience, they use technical or legal maneuvers to evade fulfillment of valid opt-out or deletion requests from authorized agents like Optery. 

2. What are Dishonorable Data Broker Tactics?

Unlike the majority of brokers that comply with removal requests, Dishonorable Data Brokers are given this designation through engaging in one or more of the following tactics in response to receiving removal requests from Optery. Not every listed broker engages in every listed tactic. The DDB designation reflects Optery’s experience with at least one of the described behaviors.

• Non-Response: Some DDBs ignore removal requests entirely, failing to respond within the timeframes required by applicable privacy laws.
• False Confirmation of Deletion: Some DDBs respond to confirm that data has been deleted when, in fact, the profile remains publicly accessible and/or the personal information continues to be sold on the back end.
• Technical Obstruction: Some DDBs intentionally deploy technical blocks against automation, blacklist Optery’s email domains, or route legitimate opt-out requests into “spam” folders.
• Pay-to-Play: Some DDBs require payment or a subscription plan with them to delete or suppress your information.
• Communication Blocks: Some DDBs route communications from Optery to infinite auto-reply loops.
• Verification Laundering: Some DDBs circumvent Optery’s Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) by demanding excessive personal information under the guise of “identity verification” or “agent authorization.” 
• Bait-and-Switch Tactics: These brokers may process an opt-out but then repurpose the contact email provided for marketing, purchase the data from a new or different source, or restore profiles after a short period of time.
• Exemptions and Loopholes: Some DDBs falsely claim your data is exempt from removal laws because it is “professional” or “B2B” personal information. Some refuse to recognize or respond to Authorized Agents altogether.

3. Which Data Brokers Does Optery Designate as Dishonorable?

Based on our experience exercising consumer opt-out and deletion rights on behalf of our customers, we designate the following entities as Dishonorable Data Brokers, some of which remain Covered under your Optery plan, while others are Not Covered:

Optery remains committed to evaluating and pursuing opt-out requests for even the most difficult cases. Our team is continually testing new methods of achieving successful removals. If progress is made, the DDBs listed above as “Not Covered” will be reinstated into our coverage.

4. What is Optery Doing About Dishonorable Data Brokers?

Optery does not stop at the first sign of resistance. When a data broker makes the removals process intentionally difficult or ignores requests, we shift into an escalation phase:

• Direct Legal and Privacy Outreach: We engage directly with data brokers’ privacy teams and legal counsel to discuss collaborative resolutions to ensure the data broker processes Optery’s removals requests. 
• Documentation and Auditing: We document the steps of a data broker’s published process, including what they say in their privacy policies and request forms, building a record of non-compliance if they still refuse to fulfill a request.
• Evidence-Based Removals: Our Exposure Report and Removals Report capture proof of your profile. When a broker claims they cannot find your data, we send them the specific profile link and visual evidence of its existence.
• Protecting Your Information: We actively push back when brokers demand excessive personal data they do not actually need to process an opt-out.
• Legislative Advocacy: We advocate for your privacy at the state and federal level where the law leaves gaps or loopholes for data brokers, using our direct experience with data broker non-compliance to advocate for stronger transparency and fulfillment requirements.

5. How Does Optery Handle Status Updates for Dishonorable Data Brokers?

To maintain transparency, for Custom Removal Requests, if there is no progress after exhaustive attempts, we update the removal status from “In Progress” to “Unsuccessful” to reflect that active work is no longer being done. This way, you always have a clear and honest view of where things stand.

6. What Can I Do About Dishonorable Data Brokers?

You can help by sharing your story and taking direct action:

• File Formal Complaints: If a data broker is ignoring removal requests, you can use the evidence in your Optery dashboard to report them to: 
• • The Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; 
  • The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) at cppa.ca.gov/webapplications/complaint (for California residents); 
  • Your state Department of Justice or Attorney General's office; or
  • The Consumer Protection Unit of your local county’s Office of the District Attorney.
• Leverage Screenshot Evidence: If you choose to contact a data broker’s support team directly, consider providing the “Before” screenshot found in your Optery report. Providing a direct link and a visual of the data makes it much harder for them to deny the profile exists.
• Support Privacy Legislation: Contact your local representatives and demand they pass strict privacy legislation requiring businesses to comply with opt-out and deletion requests and establishing meaningful penalties when privacy rights are not honored.
• Sign the Optery Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA): Ensure your LPOA is signed within your account. This allows us to engage with data brokers on your behalf in a more meaningful way.  
• Submit Custom Requests: For the most resistant brokers, Ultimate subscribers can trigger a Custom Removal Request. This initiates an intensified manual review and targeted follow-up by our team.

Updated on: 07/07/2026