Download This Show Opt Out 01 | The guide to taking back control of your online life
Dec 19, 2025
Yael Grauer, an investigative tech reporter focused on privacy and security, teams up with Troy Hunt, creator of the breach-monitoring service Have I Been Pwned. They dive into the alarming extent of personal data available through people-search sites and discuss practical steps to audit your digital footprint. Troy shares insights on data breaches, urging listeners to check for risks and manage password hygiene. Together, they tackle the challenges of reclaiming online privacy in an age of inevitable data exposure.
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Data Brokers Expose More Than You Think
- Data broker profiles contain far more than phonebook-style entries and can link addresses, relatives and old social handles.
- Yael Grauer found wedding videos, divorce records and long-forgotten pseudonymous posts during routine searches.
Threatening Emails Sparked A Career Pivot
- Yael Grauer began investigating privacy after receiving threatening emails that referenced personal information.
- She traced the info to online sources and turned her research into reporting to protect herself and others.
Begin With What You Fear Most
- Start audits by searching for the specific information you fear most, like your home address and name combinations.
- Check people-search sites (Axiom, Intelius, MyLife) and use their opt-out processes where available.