A service called Incogni aims to help users regain control over their personal data online

A service called Incogni aims to help users regain control over their personal data online

Incogni is a service that aims to help individuals regain control over their personal data online. It addresses concerns such as overflowing spam emails, phishing attempts, and the feeling that almost every website knows your information. Incogni proposes a solution to take back control of your personal data before the situation worsens.

When accessing web services or online shops, it is common, and sometimes mandatory, to provide certain personal information However, some of this data can be retrieved for fraudulent purposes, such as identity theft, without your knowledge or consent. Incogni aims to address these concerns.

The service operates based on a subscription model. Upon registration, you will need to provide some personal data, such as your name, email address, and postal address, which will be used to locate your information in data broker databases. Afterward, you can specify which data you want Incogni to remove from these databases. To authorize Incogni to act on your behalf and demand the deletion of your personal data, you will need to sign a proxy.

Incogni takes care of the entire process on your behalf. They provide a dashboard that allows you to track the progress of your requests. The time it takes to remove your data can vary significantly, depending on the cooperation and honesty of the data brokers. The dashboard also displays the names of data brokers, the sensitivity of the personal data they hold, and how the data is being used. Incogni saves time for those who want to regain control of their data on the web and maintain vigilance to prevent its reemergence elsewhere.

As for the cost, Incogni is a paid subscription service. It handles all the necessary steps on your behalf, including identifying data brokers holding your data, contacting them for data removal, following up with reminders, and taking legal actions if needed. The yearly subscription plan is generally more cost-effective, both financially and in terms of giving Incogni enough time to pursue uncooperative data brokers and monitor any resurgence of personal data on the web.