Frequently asked questions

If you have any other questions you want to ask, please get in touch.

Do I get progress updates?

Yes, we will contact you once a month to let you know the progress we are making in removing your data from those who seek to take advantage of it. We know you are busy so you can choose less frequent updates too!

Do you offer referals for content creators?

We have a content creator programme allowing you to promote our service and in return we give your viewers a discount code. Additionally we will offer you a percentage cut of the subscription for however long your viewer remains a subscriber.

How do I get setup?

Subscribing or purchasing our one off plan is easy. Go to our pricing page and you can sign up there. Want to know more about setup & everything that follows, check out the our process page for more details.

Can I share my account?

At the moment we only offer an individual account. However, we are working on family & friend accounts which we plan to launch in the near future. Interested in a corporate plan for employees? Please get in touch.

Do you offer a subscription?

Yes, we offer monthly & annual subscriptions along with a one-off service. Check out our pricing page to see the current options avaliable. Note, features do vary amongst the different subscription / product offerings.

Do you offer student discount?

We don’t currently offer a specific student discount. However, we do offer a variety of discounts through our amazing content creator network.  We are working to add a student exclusive discount very soon.

Custom removals?

We know how it is. You’ve found a company is using your data or spamming you and you need it to stop. We won’t charge you extra to go after them, no, let us know the company and we will add them to our books, for all our members.

Do you offer refunds?

If you are not happy with our service you can cancel your membership, effective from the next billing period. If you have recently subscribed in error then please contact us to discuss your membership.

What happens if a company ignores the deletion request?

If an organisation does not respond or refuses to comply, we continue to follow up on your behalf. This may include escalation, additional requests, and citing applicable data protection laws. While we can’t force compliance, we apply consistent pressure and pursue every available option.

How long does it take for my data to be deleted?

Timelines vary by organisation. Some respond within days, while others may take several weeks. Most data protection laws we rely on allow up to 30 days for a response, and in some cases longer. We monitor progress and keep working until the request is resolved.

Will my data be deleted everywhere?

We target as many relevant data brokers and organisations as possible, but no service can guarantee 100% removal. New data sources can appear over time. We strive to maximise coverage & allow you to share intel with us to help us further this mission together.

Is my information safe with you?

Yes. Any information you provide is handled securely & used only for the purpose of submitting & managing deletion requests. We never sell any of your data. We take every precaution we can to protect your information, we treat your as we would our own, & some of it is, we use our service too!

Do I need to provide ID?

No. Providing ID is optional. If you choose not to provide them, we will still do everything we can to have your data deleted. However, some organisations require identity verification, & we find providing documents improve deletion success rates in those cases.

What documents are accepted as proof of ID / address?

We recomend governemnt backed photo ID & if this doesn’t have your address on it too then a utility bill, or a bank statement work great for proof of address. We also recomend adding a selfie we can match to your ID photo to you too. You can however add any documents you feel relevant.

Can I see which organisations you contact on my behalf?

Yes. We provide transparency into the organisations we target and the status of your requests, so you always know where things stand. We are always growing the network of organisations we contact & you can help with that too by submitting details of companies you want us to add to our platform to contact. Our mission is to hunt down your data wherever it is stored.

Does guardID act as a legal representative?

No, guardID is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We act as an authorised agent submitting data deletion requests on your behalf, in line with applicable data protection laws. We will provide any evidence we have in our logs of the deletion requests sent and responses we have recieved on your behalf if requested by your chosen legal representative.

What laws do you rely on to request data deletion?

Requests are made under relevant data protection regulations, such as the GDPR, UK GDPR, and similar privacy laws, depending on your location, where you are a citizen & the organisation involved. However, we believe companies should volunteer to delete the data of those who do not wish them to have it, regardless of local laws, becuase doing the right thing matters.

Can my data reappear after it’s deleted?

In some cases, yes. Data brokers may re-collect information from public or commercial sources. This is why we request companies supress collection of your data & if they don’t agree we send regular repeat requests as a vital part of our service for maintaining long-term privacy & online security.

Who is the guardID service best suited for?

Our service is ideal for anyone who wants to reduce their online exposure, limit data broker profiles, and take back control of their personal information without spending hours navigating intentionally complex opt-out processes. We find everyone can benefit from less exposure of their data online, so why not join us today.

What data do I have to provide to use guardID?

We only ask for information that is often required by data brokers in order to submit deletion requests on your behalf. The only mandatory item in our registration is your primary email address. However, every other item provided will usually lead to more successful & complete deletions of your data from a vast array of data brokers.

Why do you need my personal information to delete my data?

Organisations will only delete data if they can confidently identify the records that belong to you. Without some basic information, they may be unable to locate or confirm your data. Although everything other than primary email is optional, the more detail you provide the more effective we find your membership will be.

Can I choose what information guardID uses?

Yes. You remain in control of the information you provide. In some cases, limiting the data shared may reduce success rates with certain organisations, but we will still proceed using what you’re comfortable providing. You may also find it leads to some organisations we work with reaching out to you directly to confirm our request.

Do you store my data permanently?

No, we retain your data as long as you are a member of guardID in order for us to provide our services to you. We do not keep your data indefinetly beyond this nor do we use your data for any purpose other than providing our services to you. No trading or sharing your information beyond what is neccessary to run our service for you.

Will guardID ever sell or share my data?

No. GuardID does not, nor will we ever sell or trade your personal data. Your information is shared only with organisations where a deletion request is being submitted on your behalf. Your data is also stored on services provided by third party suppliers to guardID in order to run our service including Microsoft, Zoho, Stripe & Cloudflare.

What if my details change over time?

You can update your information at any time. Keeping your details current can help improve the effectiveness of ongoing or future deletion requests. You can also include multiple email addresses, phone numbers, previous or alternative names, multiple old addresses & multiple social media profiles.

Can guardID delete business or company data?

Our service focuses on details linked to individuals. However, work mobiles, direct dials & email addresses that link to you all count as personal data. Some companies have seen large productivity benefits joining on behalf of employees to offer better personal protection to employees & reduce time wasted dealing with spam emails.

What happens if I stop using guardID?

If you cancel or stop using the service, we will stop submitting new requests on your behalf. Any data already deleted will remain deleted, but new data collected in the future may not be addressed unless you resume the service, many data brokers will reguarly reacquire data previously deleted & so it is likely your data will once again spread online.

Is guardID suitable for high-risk individuals?

We can significantly reduce online exposure, but individuals facing serious or immediate threats should consider additional measures such as legal advice, address confidentiality programs, or specialised security services. Our service is not an alternative to reaching our to the police or other professional for expert tailored support.