Data Broker Radaris Loses Domains: What It Means for You

This week, data broker Radaris lost control of its domains following a privacy fight. If you've never heard of Radaris, you're not alone. But they likely have heard of you. Radaris is one of many companies that collect personal information — names, addresses, phone numbers, relatives — and sell it to anyone willing to pay.

The fact that Radaris lost its domains is a problem, but not in the way you might think. When a broker goes down, your data doesn't disappear. It's already been copied, shared, and resold many times over. The domains going offline just means you might not be able to use their removal form anymore. The information itself lives on elsewhere.

So what can you do? Start by checking if you're listed. Many data broker sites let you search your own name for free. If you find yourself, use their opt-out or removal form. It's usually a simple process, though some sites make it deliberately awkward. If the site is down or removal fails, treat your details as already public. That's not a reason to panic — it's a reason to be deliberate about your security.

A few practical habits help. Never confirm personal details to an unexpected caller. If someone claims to be from your bank or a utility company, hang up and call back on a number you know is genuine. Consider freezing your credit file with the major agencies — it stops anyone opening new accounts in your name (how to freeze your credit after a data exposure). And keep an eye on your statements for anything you don't recognise. If you want to know what of yours is already circulating, our dark web monitoring guide explains how to check.

Also in the news this week: a browser extension that could hijack AI assistants across Chrome, Edge, Opera and others. It's rated critical, but it mainly affects people who use those AI sidebars. If you don't use them, you're not the target. If you do, take a minute to review your extensions and remove anything you don't recognise.

Today's takeaway: search your name on a data broker site. If you're listed, ask to be removed. If you can't, freeze your credit file.