February 12, 2026 • Via The Independent
How Data Brokers Are Fueling Stalking, Scams, and Even Murder
The shadowy, barely-regulated industry that knows everything about you — and sells it to anyone willing to pay.
Data brokers compile vast amounts of public and private information — from marriage certificates and drivers' licenses to bank records, browsing histories, and even braking logs from internet-connected cars — then sell it to virtually anyone willing to pay.
As reported by The Independent, this barely-regulated industry has been linked to alarming real-world consequences, including stalking, harassment, scams, and even murder.
The Human Cost of Unregulated Data
Victims describe discovering their "whole life story" available online for a small fee — past addresses, roommates, closest friends, and more. Stalkers and abusers exploit this information to locate, harass, and intimidate their targets with disturbing ease.
"We see data broker information used as a tool of abuse with alarming frequency, especially in stalking and coercive control cases," says Belle Torek of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
A $300 Billion Industry with Minimal Oversight
The U.S. has no comprehensive nationwide privacy laws, meaning data brokers operate with minimal federal regulation. The industry is estimated to be worth over $300 billion, yet most Americans don't even know these companies exist or have their information.
Criminal Exploitation
The article details how data broker information has been connected to serious crimes, including cases where perpetrators used people-search engines to locate victims. Scammers also leverage this data to craft convincing phishing attacks and identity theft schemes.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
- Search yourself online to see what personal information is publicly available
- Opt out of data broker sites — many are required to honor removal requests
- Use identity monitoring services to get alerted when your data appears in new places
- Minimize your digital footprint by reviewing privacy settings on all accounts
- Consider cyber insurance that includes identity theft protection and restoration services
eSure.ai Protection: Our comprehensive cyber insurance includes identity theft monitoring, $1,000,000 in identity theft reimbursement, and full identity restoration services — protecting you from the very threats data brokers enable.