Pipl Opt-Out

What Does Pipl Do?

Pipl describes itself as a provider of identity solutions, but in practice, it functions much like a people search website. It generates brief aggregate reports that summarize information already available online about a specific individual. In some cases, those reports are fairly limited, showing only a name and general location. In others, they may include personally identifiable details such as birthdays, maiden names, or references to criminal records, depending on what data is available and how it is associated.

The information displayed on Pipl comes from a mix of public and private sources. This includes government databases, data shared by private companies, and information collected through web beacons, advertisements, and marketing tools encountered by users and visitors. Pipl also receives data from affiliates and from its investor, Israel Growth Partners, a technology-focused firm based in Israel with an emphasis on identity monitoring and protection. Through these combined sources, Pipl can compile identity snapshots that many consumers do not realize exist until they search for themselves.

How Do I Remove Information From Pipl?

People search websites frequently publish profiles that contain inaccurate, outdated, or misattributed information, and consumers are often given the option to request corrections. In practice, however, most individuals prefer to opt out entirely rather than amend individual data points. Opting out does not delete the underlying data or restrict its internal use. Instead, it applies a suppression flag that prevents the information from appearing in public search results. By contrast, limiting or deleting consumer data can remove that suppression flag, effectively restarting the platform's historical tracking period. In Pipl's case, this may also trigger certain automated website verification processes.

Many consumers hesitate to proceed with a Pipl opt-out after reviewing the required verification steps. Questions such as whether the effort is worthwhile and concerns about potential downstream effects are common. Language suggesting additional consequences or complications is often used as a retention mechanism, designed to discourage users from opting out by emphasizing uncertainty or inconvenience.

Pipl may deny opt-out requests for users outside California, where stronger consumer privacy protections apply. Non-California residents may encounter additional verification requirements or direct interaction with support personnel through email or online forms. While representatives may raise objections or encourage alternatives, these considerations do not outweigh the importance of individualized privacy and cybersecurity decisions.

Where to Start Your Pipl Opt-Out?

Consumers can request an opt-out from Pipl, but the available methods are fairly limited, and not all of them are reliable. While Pipl does provide a Contact Us form, opt-out requests submitted through that channel are often rejected or left without confirmation. Email is also inconsistent, though consumers who prefer written communication can send requests directly to privacy@pipl.com. For those who want live assistance, Pipl's customer service team can be reached at 1 (415) 373-0180. It is worth noting that Pipl lists two phone numbers publicly, but only the designated opt-out line is used for removal requests. The general support number does not process opt-outs.

In practice, Pipl offers two primary opt-out paths. California residents have access to a dedicated in-browser privacy form tied to state law protections, while all other users must use a separate national opt-out form. Both options are outlined in detail in the sections that follow, including who to contact and what to expect during the process. An accessible email address is required to complete either form, and using a newly created or secondary email account is usually the safest approach. Setting one up through a provider like Google takes only a few minutes and helps limit unnecessary exposure during the opt-out process.

How to Opt-Out of Pipl Data Sharing and Selling

Call Pipl's Live Representatives for Opt-Out Assistance

Consumers who prefer speaking with a live representative can contact Pipl's opt-out support line at 1 (877) 616-1115. This number connects directly to a department that handles privacy and opt-out related requests. When the call is answered, the representative will ask how they can help, and the caller should clearly state that they want to opt out of Pipl's public data sharing and selling.

The wording used during this conversation matters more than it might seem. Pipl distinguishes between opting out, limiting data use, and deleting an account, and those terms are not interchangeable. If an existing Pipl member says they want the company to stop sharing their data, a representative may simply close the user account, leaving the public search profile unaffected. By contrast, a nonmember who explicitly requests that Pipl stop selling and sharing their information in public search results communicates a much clearer intent and is more likely to receive the correct action.

In some situations, calling is not just helpful but necessary. Live support is often required when an opt-out request has been denied, when multiple records need to be suppressed, or when the data involves a minor. Consumers facing any of these scenarios should prioritize calling a representative rather than relying solely on the online forms described below, as human review is typically required for these more sensitive requests involving Pipl.

Opt-Out Using Pipl's Quick Forms Based on Residency

Pipl provides two separate opt-out forms based on where a consumer lives. One form is reserved specifically for California residents, while the other applies to everyone else. California residents benefit from state-level privacy protections that generally guarantee an opt-out confirmation, except in cases involving data held by government entities or law enforcement. Consumers outside California are not guaranteed acceptance, and requests may be approved or rejected at Pipl's discretion. During the opt-out process, users may be asked to verify their identity. On some devices, including iPhones, this verification step may involve scanning a QR code.

Pipl also reserves the right to deny suppression requests if it determines that keeping certain information public aligns with its stated interests. Their privacy documentation notes that customer support will contact the consumer if a request cannot be completed. In practice, submitting either form immediately triggers an automated email, which effectively opens a support case. Whether follow-up happens by phone or email depends on the representative assigned to the request.

• California residents will find their opt-out form on Pipl's California privacy page.

• Consumers outside California must use the general national opt-out form.

Step One

Open the opt-out form that corresponds to your state of residency. Both forms request similar contact information, though the California form includes a required message field. Enter at least your full name and email address. Adding a phone number and mailing address can help speed up identity verification. In the message field, submit a clear request such as:

"I want to opt out of selling and sharing my personal information and public search results".

Complete the CAPTCHA and click the Submit button. The page should refresh immediately and display a confirmation message along with instructions to check your email.

Step Two

Check the inbox of the email address you provided. You should receive an automated message from Pipl's Salesforce system. This email includes a reference or case number and outlines when customer support may attempt to contact you. Typical outreach hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific time. California residents and non-California residents receive slightly different versions of this message, but both indicate that further action may be required.

If you only provided an email address, you may receive a verification request within ten business days. Verification is usually simple and may involve clicking a confirmation link, entering a one-time passcode, or following assisted instructions in the email. Completing this verification step is mandatory. Without it, Pipl cannot confirm the identity of the requester, and the opt-out request will not be processed or enforced.

Return Annually to Remove Current Information

Pipl collects public information while acting as a data processor or service provider, then uses that data to generate reports it considers current and accurate. To maintain those reports, people search sites routinely ingest large volumes of information, regardless of whether it is accurate, outdated, or already exists in their systems. One of the core problems with aggregate record providers is their inability to reliably identify data that has already been suppressed. Pipl acknowledges this limitation within its own privacy documentation.

Because Pipl cannot anticipate or retroactively suppress newly acquired data, consumers are responsible for monitoring their own records. Pipl states that its search results remain active for approximately 12 months, which makes annual follow-up necessary. Checking your status is straightforward. Searching your name on Pipl's main page is usually enough to determine whether a previously suppressed record has reappeared.

Even after receiving confirmation that a record has been suppressed, consumers should still perform a manual search to verify that the information is no longer visible to the public. Ongoing monitoring is essential if you want suppression to remain effective. Setting a calendar reminder or annual alert can help prevent missed reappearances. While Pipl references a response window of around ten days, its privacy policy allows for processing times of up to 30 days. This guide reflects the opt-out procedures described in Pipl's privacy policy as of 2023.