Sometimes it seems like there are services or products dedicated to just about every aspect of life, and corporate product innovation as well. This complete data privacy review covers everything you need to know about Incogni.
Introduction to Incogni
Incogni provides privacy protection on the web through its data removal service. Delivered by Surfshark, a major and reputable VPN company that launched this service. Over time, the web developer community has created more automated tools to help people delete their personal information from these data broker websites — this used to be a manual process.
This is how data brokers build extensive personal profiles based on information that was already publicly available. Those profiles are often sold to advertisers, prospective employers, and other organizations. These brokers each hear from Incogni on a removal basis, and it does so automatically, as often as necessary.
This is not too dissimilar from the way in which intelligence agencies collect open-source information. Corporations that are collecting data on an everyday basis are not spying actively at all — they look up everything in public records and online. This is what Incogni deals with by combating data collection about yourself.
How Incogni Works
Automated Data Removal Process
Incogni is a service for finding data brokers with your information. The company then sends official removal requests to those companies. This will be done automatically, and you do not have to go through it manually.
This app constantly monitors the process of removing your data from an easy-to-use dashboard called Incogni. You can monitor which brokers have been reached and view the success rate. This system saves you many hours of manual work.
In contrast with incognito mode on browsers that only hide your browsing on local display, Incogni deletes your data from broker databases. Thus, this offers proper privacy instead of just some temporary browsing anonymity.
Data Broker Coverage
Incogni weeds out hundreds of data broker websites globally. Although the service is targeted more towards US and EU-based brokers, it covers people search engines and background check services.
The service constantly grows its database of data brokers on the removal list. This is for complete protection, even as new data collection services come up. In order to effectively serve its customers, Incogni follows what is happening in the data broker landscape.
Incogni Pricing and Plans
Individual Plan Pricing
Individual protection of Incogni costs $14.98 per month. At $7.49 a month, you save some money with the $89.88 annual subscription. The cost is pretty good when compared with getting you or your team to manually delete records.
The prices of Incogni have increased as a function of the service growing over time. The service previously ran for $12.99 per month and $77.88 per year. Even cheaper pricing used to be better — before, it cost $7.99 a month or $47.88 annually in advance.
Family Plan Options
In addition to individual accounts, a family plan will cover up to four other individuals. The family subscription is annual and will cost you $197.88 for all covered members. This product is available with monthly family plan pricing ($32.98/month).
The family plan is perhaps best suited to privacy-concerned households, and this plan provides exceptional value. All family members are protected equally with full data deletion protection. This keeps the per-person price way down compared to individual subscriptions.
Comparison with Competitors
For $8 monthly or $72 annually, some services provide similar functionality for less money than Incogni. These alternatives target data collection prevention rather than the removal of existing data. Most of the time, services like DeleteMe function in a privacy-conscious way.
Privacy Bee and Optery have claimed recognition in this field. More data brokers are tracked by both services, and they offer manual removal reports for comparison. Consider the following when reviewing Incogni.
Incogni vs Competitors
Incogni vs DeleteMe
The comparison between DeleteMe and Incogni reveals elements of both strengths and the different approaches these two services take to ensure your privacy. Incogni offers clearer pricing and a nicer user interface.
Similarly, for European visitors, DeleteMe UK facilities offer a similar service. Both services will automatically deal with GDPR compliance for EU residents. Incogni UK is also a great option for the rest of the United Kingdom.
Incogni vs Optery
The comparison of Optery vs Incogni shows that Optery covers more data brokers in total. You will receive detailed reports from Optery and the ability to manually remove options. Incogni is simpler in terms of automation and can be used with less hands-on management.
While both provide secure data eradication, their approaches differ. Optery is well-suited to users who want fine-grained control over demand-driven removal. Incogni is a good choice if you want to use automation for hands-off protection behind the scenes.
Incogni vs Aura
The Aura vs Incogni comparison shows that Aura offers more holistic identity protection services. Aura comes with credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and VPN services that help individuals when a service has been breached. Incogni is designed to ensure that data brokers leave you with no information.
Select Incogni if you need data removal services only. Choose the Aura plan for complete identity protection with financial monitoring. They both do very well in what they focus on.
Connection to NordVPN and Surfshark
Ownership and Company Background
Despite what some users may believe, Incogni is not owned by NordVPN — it belongs to Surfshark. Both companies offer various features in the VPN landscape.
NordVPN and Surfshark are two VPN services with different service offerings, as well as pricing. NordVPN installation differs from the Surfshark installation process.
VPN Integration Benefits
Incogni is a separate project from VPN services, but when both are combined, they deliver true privacy. While VPNs hide your browsing activity, Incogni erases data from current data streams. Using the dual method is the best way to achieve anonymity on your end.
Incogni also works well with the NordVPN app, as well as several other VPN services. Incogni cleans up the past data collection while VPN services protect future browsing. Use both services for maximum privacy protection.
Incogni Features and Capabilities
Dark Web Monitoring
Incogni is out of scope to provide dark web data removal, which requires a specific service. The exposure of personal data is one of the most common things you will hear in the industry, but only a small percentage occurs from dark web sources rather than legitimate data brokers. Incogni deals with a big chunk of data broker information right at the source. You might need to use other services for dark web monitoring.
Phone Number Removal
The good news is that Incogni will remove your phone number from the data broker databases if it can. This involves getting numbers out of people search engines and background check services. Phone number removal helps prevent unwanted calls and privacy invasion.
The service requests personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, be removed. The success rates can be different according to the data broker and depending on local privacy regulations. GDPR compliance leads to better results in European markets.
Scanning Frequency
Incogni’s service looks for new data that gets published, paired with resubmissions from brokers. So the long-term privacy protection comes through continuous monitoring.
Scan frequency differs as it depends on user settings and the behavior of data brokers. Nearly all brokerages regularly get requests to have data expunged, again to stop it from returning. An automatic system keeps the pressure up on data collectors.
Incogni Reviews and User Experience
User Satisfaction and Effectiveness
Reviews on Incogni are mostly positive from users. The automated process requires less user involvement, and this automated process of tracking progress is loved by all. The service works to remove personal data from many of the largest background check vendors.
Incogni sends you email notifications to keep you updated on how much data has been purged. Users will know exactly which brokers were contacted and the removal success percentages. Transparency like this inspires trust in the capabilities of the service.
Ease of Use
The app, as well as the web interface, definitely has an easy-to-understand and navigate user experience. Starting the service requires minimal information needed to create an account. The dashboard is well-designed for tracking progress and offering actionable insights.
On the other hand, data removal by yourself is a tech-savvy process that may be difficult if you are not too handy with software. Incogni takes care of automatically managing all communication with data brokers. Incogni handles checks in the background so users can focus on other work.
Privacy Browsing vs Data Removal
Understanding Incognito Mode
Incognito mode and incognito browsing simply mean your activity does not get stored in the local browser storage. Browsing incognito will not stop websites from gathering your data. Incognito web browser modes only do so much for privacy.
Incognito mode does not store local history, but enables data brokers to continue collecting. In addition, web servers and ISPs log your interactions when you are incognito. For true privacy, services like Incogni are necessary if you want to keep your anonymity safe on all fronts.
Comprehensive Privacy Strategy
Use Incogni in conjunction with smart browsing for full privacy protection. Leave no data traces behind as you tackle browsing sessions with Incogni, while making sure you use incognito mode. A VPN provides an added level of privacy when browsing.
Active data removal services must be recommended alongside incognito web browser usage. Incogni handles past data collection, while incognito browsing limits future tracking. Both work in complete harmony when combined with each other for better privacy.
Service Cancellation and Refunds
Cancellation Process
To cancel Incogni with ease, you need to go to your account dashboard. Great instructions are available without the need to call them to request a cancellation. Users can cancel subscriptions at any time, with no penalties.
If you decide to cancel Incogni, it will keep trying to clear your data until the subscription expires. Removal requests already submitted to data brokers remain active. The service will not reverse anything that has previously been removed upon cancellation.
Money-Back Guarantee
In case you are not satisfied with what Incogni has to offer, they have a money-back guarantee. This refund policy gives users an option to test the service risk-free. Refunds will be processed through customer support during the guarantee period.
The effectiveness of the service varies depending on both individual data exposure and broker compliance. This guarantee is a safety net for users who do not get the results they expect over time. Review terms and conditions for details on warranty coverage.
Global Availability and Coverage
International Service
Incogni has a global presence with a specialty in US and EU data brokers. The service follows GDPR for European users. For British residents, Incogni UK provides full coverage.
The usefulness of the service depends on privacy laws in individual countries. European users benefit from GDPR enforcement. In the US, removal requests are left to the discretion of brokers.
Regional Considerations
Incogni adjusts its approach depending upon local privacy laws and broker practices. Over time, service coverage expands to new territories.
Incogni can be used in other regions as well, but please take into account the local privacy laws in your region. Removal success rates overall are higher in countries with GDPR legislation. US users face challenges due to weaker privacy regulations.
Best Data Removal Service Comparison
Industry Leadership
The best data deletion service has to do with user preferences. Where Incogni shines is in its automation and ease of use. DeleteMe has wider broker coverage and more years in the market.
For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, Optery offers its users detailed reporting and the option for manual removal. Privacy Bee has reasonable prices and good broker coverage. Different user preferences lend themselves to the strengths that various services offer.
Value Assessment
For those who are seeking an automated, hands-off method for data removal, Incogni is a good value. The cost of service reflects the convenience it offers and the continuous monitoring. Compare costs when estimating manual removal times.
You will need to invest plenty of time in manual data removal with ongoing maintenance requirements. People who justify the subscription price should be the ones who value Incogni’s automation. Consider your time value when deciding on service costs.
Identity Protection Alternatives
LifeLock Comparison
Taken together, LifeLock and Incogni demonstrate different market focuses in the identity protection space. LifeLock offers services in credit monitoring and identity theft insurance as well. Incogni focuses on data broker removal.
LifeLock provides stronger identity protection but less data broker removal expertise. Credit monitoring without the data removal expertise that Incogni offers. Select according to the needs of your primary protection strategy.
Comprehensive Protection Strategy
Incogni works well when combined with other privacy tools. The two strategies are privacy-focused, but if you want to protect your accounts, use password managers. Monitor credit alongside data removal efforts with these services.
Incogni focuses on an important part of online privacy protection. Full privacy requires a combination of many working pieces. Create a blueprint for privacy across all surfaces of potential vulnerability.
Data Removal Process Details
Opting Out of Data Broker Sites
The Incogni service automates the difficult process of opting out and removing personal data from broker sites. To remove your information manually, you need to identify where your information is and then find the opt-out forms or otherwise request removal from each broker. This requires hundreds of hours of manual labor.
A lot of the time, data brokers will specifically make exclusion processes murky and/or arduous. The service knows which removal methods work best for every broker.
Removal Success Rates
This approach brings Incogni an effective removal rate, taking advantage of the fact that automated requests do not require manual intervention. Success varies by data broker and local privacy regulations. The service then shares its progress in removing material and challenges associated with removal.
It often takes multiple requests and a lot of time to remove yourself from data broker databases. Incogni keeps submitting requests until the data is taken down, or its request complies with applicable legal standards. The system will not stop like manual systems do.
Service Location and Support
Company Location
Incogni is a Dutch company that falls under Surfshark’s business development. The office in Europe allows them to comply with the most stringent privacy regulations. This basically shapes how privacy-focused the service is, as it ties directly to GDPR requirements.
Incogni operates under strict European privacy laws that protect all users’ data, no matter their country. The company’s location in a privacy-friendly region ensures the protection of user privacy for real this time. Service quality and effectiveness are driven by regulatory compliance.
Customer Support Quality
Incogni has responsive customer support, which is available through multiple channels. Contact support for questions related to removal progress or technical issues. The support team is knowledgeable and informative regarding privacy matters.
Quality of support reflects the company’s dedication to user satisfaction. Prompt attention and clear resolution steps to technical issues are provided. Well-trained staff of experts answer privacy-focused questions.
Long-Term Privacy Protection
Ongoing Monitoring Benefits
Incogni offers continuous monitoring and does not just provide one-time removal. There are constantly new reports for data brokers to collect and process, which is the reason people work to reduce them. Automated monitoring allows you to rest easy knowing that your privacy is being protected for the long term.
Manual data removal only treats the symptoms because brokers can again collect data in the future. Incogni finds all occurrences of new data and removes them immediately. The subscription model is a good way of securing this ongoing protection.
Privacy Maintenance Requirements
Protecting privacy effectively takes sustained effort. Incogni takes care of this upkeep on its own, without the user having to do anything. It continues to adjust for new data brokers and new collection methods.
The protection of privacy, by contrast, is an ongoing struggle rather than a problem to be solved once and for all. If you want to make it long-term, Incogni delivers the persistent effort that will ultimately support your success. You can focus on other tasks while still having professional privacy handling without always having to be personally involved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Incogni worth it?
Can Incogni delete data from the dark web?
Is Incogni owned by NordVPN?
How do Incogni and DeleteMe compare?
Is Aura or Incogni better?
Who owns Incogni?
What happens if I cancel Incogni?
Does Incogni remove phone numbers?
Final Recommendation
Who Should Use Incogni
Incogni is best for users looking for hands-off data removal automation. This service is for busy professionals who have little time and who value minimal setup over fine control. Those who are more conscious about their privacy benefit from ongoing protection as well.
If you favor simple automated solutions over laborious manual processes, then consider Incogni. The fact that the service can remove data automatically is a good value to users who are having trouble removing it manually. For many users, the subscription cost is well justified for the amount of automation it provides.
Alternative Considerations
Different alternatives, like DeleteMe, Optery, and others, can be explored depending on the specific use case. There are particular users who may need more broker coverage, and there are those who like more detailed reporting features. Weigh features and pricing against your privacy needs.
While Incogni shines brightest in automation, the competitors are strong as well in different areas. Pick the service that most closely aligns with your privacy preferences and technical confidence. All reputable services offer useful privacy safeguards.
