In the ongoing battle against data breaches, it’s likely that some of your personal information is online. Still, it’s important to take steps to protect it. This includes removing it from databases with a history of security issues.
National Public Data, a background check company run by Jerico Pictures Inc., suffered a major data breach in early 2024, resulting in the exposure of billions of records, including sensitive information such as Social Security numbers.
The site has since relaunched under new ownership as a “free people search engine,” and despite claiming to use public information, it’s essential to remove your records. This reduces the chances of your personal information, like your address and phone number, being easily accessible.
### What happened with National Public Data?
Last year, the hacking group USDoD attacked National Public Data, leaking 2.7 billion records with sensitive information from individuals in the US, UK, and Canada. Jerico Pictures Inc. faced several lawsuits and declared bankruptcy, eventually shutting down National Public Data.
PCMag reports that the site has reappeared as National Public Data, now registered to Perfect Privacy LLC, a Florida-based company offering anonymous domain registration. Details of the security breach remain accessible.
National Public Data now enables searches across various databases, including bankruptcy, criminal records, and voter registration. The About Us page states that it includes “federal, state, and local government agencies, social media pages, property databases, and other reliable sources.” Users can search for individual records by name, city, and state.
### How to remove your records from National Public Data
Even if the data collected by National Public Data is publicly available elsewhere, it’s advisable to opt out from the site’s search results. The relaunched site allows removal requests through an opt-out form.
Simply search for your profile on the site, copy the profile URL, paste it into the opt-out form, and click “Request Removal.” You’ll need to provide your email and confirm your request.