Overview of Privacy Laws in Indiana

Indiana has taken significant steps to protect its residents' digital privacy with the passage of the Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act (ICDPA). As someone concerned about your online presence, understanding these protections is crucial to reclaiming control over your personal information.

The ICDPA, which became effective January 1, 2024, establishes comprehensive rules for how businesses collect, use, and protect consumer data. This law reflects a growing national trend toward stronger privacy protections, similar to California's CCPA and other state-level privacy legislation. Indiana residents now have explicit legal rights to know what data companies hold about them and, importantly, to request its removal.

Prior to the ICDPA, Indiana had limited data privacy protections. Residents relied primarily on federal laws and industry-specific regulations. The new state law fills critical gaps, particularly regarding data brokers—companies that collect and sell personal information without direct consumer interaction. These brokers operate largely in the shadows, compiling detailed profiles on millions of Americans, including Indiana residents.

The ICDPA applies to for-profit entities that collect personal information from Indiana consumers and either:

Generate annual revenue exceeding $100 million
Buy, sell, or share personal data of 100,000 or more consumers or households
Derive 50% or more of revenue from selling or sharing consumer data

This broad applicability means most major technology companies, retailers, and data brokers must comply with the law's requirements.

Your Specific Rights Under the ICDPA

Understanding your Indiana privacy rights is the first step toward protecting your personal information. The ICDPA grants Indiana consumers several important data rights that were previously unavailable.

Right to Access Your Data

You have the explicit right to request what personal information a business has collected about you. Companies must provide this information in a clear, understandable format within 30 days of your request. This includes details about:

What data has been collected
How the data is being used
Who the data has been shared with
How long the data will be retained

Right to Delete Your Data

This is perhaps the most powerful right under the ICDPA. You can request that businesses delete your personal information, and companies must comply within 45 days. However, there are important exceptions—companies can refuse deletion requests if they need the data to:

Complete transactions you initiated
Comply with legal obligations
Detect and prevent fraud or security incidents
Comply with other applicable laws

Right to Opt-Out of Data Sales and Sharing

The law gives you the right to direct companies not to sell or share your personal information with third parties. This is particularly important regarding Indiana data broker law, as it restricts how brokers can profit from your data.

Right to Correct Inaccurate Data

You can request corrections to inaccurate personal information. This is especially valuable if data brokers have compiled incorrect details about you, which can affect credit decisions, insurance rates, or employment opportunities.

Right to Know About Automated Decision-Making

If a company uses automated systems to make significant decisions about you (such as loan approvals or hiring), you have the right to know about this processing and request human review.

Protection Against Discrimination

Companies cannot discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. They cannot deny services, charge different prices, or provide lower quality service simply because you requested data deletion or opted out of data sales.

How to Exercise Your Data Deletion Rights

Exercising your ICDPA data removal rights requires taking specific action. Companies won't voluntarily delete your information—you must request it.

Step 1: Identify Companies Holding Your Data

Start by recognizing which companies likely have your personal information. This includes:

Social media platforms
Email providers
Online retailers
Financial institutions
Insurance companies
Healthcare providers
Data brokers (companies you've never directly interacted with)

Step 2: Locate Privacy Policies and Submission Methods

Most companies include privacy policy information on their websites, typically in the footer. Look for sections about "Your Rights," "Data Subject Requests," or "Privacy Choices." The ICDPA requires companies to provide a clear method for submitting requests—usually an online form, email address, or toll-free number.

Step 3: Submit Your Data Deletion Request

When submitting your request, include:

Your full name
Email address
Phone number
Any account numbers or identifiers you have with the company
A clear statement: "I request deletion of all personal information you hold about me under the Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act"

Step 4: Document Everything

Keep records of:

The date you submitted your request
The company name and contact information
Confirmation numbers or receipts
Any responses you receive

Step 5: Follow Up if Necessary

If a company doesn't respond within the required timeframe or denies your request without valid reason, follow up in writing. Reference the ICDPA and the specific timeline requirements.

Which Data Brokers Operate in Indiana

Data brokers are the hidden players in the privacy landscape. These companies compile detailed profiles on millions of people, including Indiana residents, and sell this information to marketers, insurance companies, employers, and others.

Common categories of data brokers include:

People Search and Aggregator Sites

Whitepages
Spokeo
BeenVerified
PeopleFinder
Intelius
Instant Checkmate

Data Aggregators

Acxiom
Experian
Equifax
TransUnion

Marketing and Analytics Companies

Oracle Data Cloud
Epsilon
Neustar

Background Check Companies

MyLife
CheckPeople
TruthFinder

These brokers operate across all states, including Indiana, and the ICDPA gives you legal grounds to request data removal. However, submitting individual requests to dozens of brokers is time-consuming and error-prone. This is where automated solutions become invaluable.

Step-by-Step: Filing a Complaint with the Indiana Attorney General

If a company fails to honor your data deletion request under the ICDPA, you can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's office.

Step 1: Document the Violation

Gather evidence that the company violated the ICDPA:

Your original deletion request and submission proof
The company's response (or lack of response)
Dates and communication records
Copies of your personal information still available

Step 2: Understand the Timeline

The company had 45 days to comply with your deletion request. If they failed to meet this deadline without valid reason, they've violated the law.

Step 3: Contact the Indiana Attorney General

Visit the Indiana Attorney General's website and locate the consumer protection division. You can typically file a complaint through:

An online complaint form
Email to the consumer protection division
Mail to the Attorney General's office
Phone call to their consumer hotline

Step 4: Provide Detailed Information

When filing your complaint, include:

Your name and contact information
The company's name and contact information
Description of what happened
Timeline of events
All supporting documentation
What resolution you're seeking

Step 5: Follow the Investigation Process

The Attorney General's office will review your complaint. If they find merit, they may:

Contact the company on your behalf
Investigate for broader patterns of violations
Take enforcement action
Seek penalties and restitution

Step 6: Know Your Rights

Indiana residents also have the right to sue companies that violate the ICDPA. If you've suffered damages, you can pursue legal action, potentially with the help of an attorney.

How GhostMyData Automates Removals Under the ICDPA

Managing your privacy rights manually is overwhelming. With dozens of data brokers and companies holding your information, submitting individual requests becomes impractical. This is where GhostMyData's automated removal service transforms the process.

Our Comprehensive Approach

GhostMyData specializes in helping Indiana residents reclaim their privacy by automating the entire data removal process under the ICDPA:

Initial Scan: We conduct a thorough free scan to identify which data brokers and companies hold your personal information
Removal Strategy: We determine which removal requests are most effective based on your specific situation
Automated Submissions: We submit ICDPA-compliant data deletion requests to all identified brokers and companies
Follow-Up Management: We track responses and handle follow-ups, re-submissions, and escalations
Verification: We verify that your data has been removed and provide you with documentation
Ongoing Monitoring: We continue monitoring for your data reappearing and handle new removal requests

Why Choose Automation Over DIY Removal

Time Savings: Submitting individual requests to 50+ data brokers could take weeks. GhostMyData handles this in days.

Legal Compliance: Our team ensures all requests comply with ICDPA requirements, increasing approval rates and reducing rejections.

Expertise: We understand which companies typically honor removal requests and which require escalation, saving you frustration.

Documentation: We maintain complete records of all submissions and responses, protecting you legally and providing evidence for potential complaints.

Comprehensive Coverage: We identify data brokers you may not even know exist, ensuring complete coverage.

Our Track Record with State Privacy Laws

GhostMyData has successfully helped thousands of consumers across multiple states, including those with CCPA, GDPR, and other privacy laws. We understand the nuances of each regulation and how to maximize your rights under Indiana's specific law.

Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Fees

Our pricing is straightforward with no surprise charges. You know exactly what you're paying for and what results to expect. We offer different service tiers depending on your needs and the extent of your digital footprint.

The GhostMyData Advantage

Unlike generic privacy tools, GhostMyData specifically focuses on ICDPA compliance and Indiana resident needs. We're not just checking boxes—we're genuinely committed to removing your data from the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Data Privacy

What is the difference between the ICDPA and CCPA?

The ICDPA is Indiana's state privacy law, while the CCPA is California's law. Both grant similar rights—access, deletion, and opt-out—but have different requirements and timelines. The ICDPA generally requires 45 days for deletion requests, while the CCPA allows 30 days. Both laws apply to companies meeting certain thresholds, though the ICDPA's $100 million revenue threshold is higher than the CCPA's initial threshold.

Can data brokers refuse my deletion request?

Data brokers can only refuse if they have a legitimate legal reason, such as needing the data for fraud prevention or legal compliance. Most deletion requests should be honored. If a broker refuses without valid justification, you can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General.

How long does it take to remove my data from the internet?

The ICDPA gives companies 45 days to comply with deletion requests. However, some may comply faster, and others may require follow-up. GhostMyData typically sees results within 30-60 days for most brokers, though some may take longer. Reappearing data may require additional removal requests.

Will removing my data affect my credit score?

No. Data removal requests don't affect your credit. Credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) operate under different regulations (FCRA) and maintain separate systems. However, you can request to opt out of prescreened credit offers and dispute inaccurate information on your credit report.

Do I need to remove my data from every company that has it?

Ideally, yes. However, prioritize companies that sell or share your data and those with the most sensitive information. GhostMyData helps you prioritize based on risk level and creates a removal strategy tailored to your situation.

What happens if a company ignores my deletion request?

Document the violation and file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General. You can also pursue legal action against the company. GhostMyData can help you gather the necessary documentation for both complaints and potential legal claims.

Take Control of Your Privacy Today

Your personal information is valuable—and it's yours to control. Indiana's ICDPA gives you powerful rights to know what data companies hold and to demand its removal. However, exercising these rights across dozens of data brokers and companies is time-consuming and complex.

GhostMyData simplifies this process. Our automated removal service handles all the heavy lifting, ensuring your ICDPA rights are fully exercised and your data is removed from the internet.

Don't let data brokers profit from your information any longer. Start with a free scan today to discover exactly how much of your data is out there. Then let GhostMyData handle the removal process while you reclaim your privacy.

Your digital privacy matters. Take action today—because your data is yours to control.