Tennessee Data Privacy Rights: How to Remove Your Data Under TIPA

If you're a Tennessee resident concerned about your personal information circulating online, you're not alone. Every day, data brokers collect, buy, and sell millions of data points about Americans—including your name, address, phone number, and even financial details. Fortunately, Tennessee has enacted strong privacy legislation to protect its residents. This comprehensive guide explains your Tennessee privacy rights and shows you exactly how to exercise your right to data removal under the Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA) and related privacy laws.

Overview of Privacy Laws in Tennessee

Tennessee has established itself as a leader in state-level privacy protection through multiple legislative frameworks designed to safeguard resident data.

The Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA)

The Tennessee Information Protection Act, codified in Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-18-2107, is the primary state privacy law governing data brokers and personal information handling. TIPA establishes baseline requirements for how businesses must protect and handle personal data collected from Tennessee residents.

Key aspects of TIPA include:

Data security requirements for organizations handling personal information
Breach notification obligations requiring companies to notify affected individuals within a reasonable timeframe
Restrictions on data broker activities and requirements for transparency
Consumer rights regarding access to and deletion of personal information

Tennessee's Data Broker Law

Tennessee's data broker regulations, found within TIPA and related statutes, specifically address the activities of data brokers—companies whose primary business is collecting and selling personal information about consumers. These regulations require data brokers to:

Register with the Tennessee Attorney General
Maintain accurate records of data sources
Provide consumers with access to their personal information
Honor consumer requests to delete or suppress their data
Implement reasonable security measures

Comparison to Federal and Other State Laws

While Tennessee's privacy framework is comprehensive, it's worth noting how it compares to other major privacy legislation:

GDPR (European Union): The General Data Protection Regulation provides broader protections and stricter requirements than TIPA, including explicit consent requirements and higher penalties
CCPA (California): The California Consumer Privacy Act established a template for state privacy laws and includes more expansive consumer rights than TIPA
VCCPA (Virginia): Virginia's Consumer Data Protection Act is similarly structured to TIPA with comparable consumer rights

Tennessee's approach balances consumer protection with business flexibility, making it an effective framework for data removal.

Your Specific Rights Under Tennessee Privacy Law

As a Tennessee resident, you have several important rights regarding your personal data:

The Right to Know

You have the right to request that a data broker disclose what personal information they maintain about you. This includes:

Your name and contact information
Financial information
Health data
Online identifiers and browsing history
Inferred characteristics and profiles
Any other categories of personal information they've collected

Data brokers must respond to these requests within a reasonable timeframe, typically 30-45 days.

The Right to Delete

One of your most powerful rights under Tennessee privacy law is the right to request deletion of your personal information. You can demand that data brokers delete:

Your complete personal profile
Specific categories of information
Data obtained from particular sources

Data brokers must comply with deletion requests unless they have a legal obligation to retain the information or the data is necessary for their stated business purpose.

The Right to Opt-Out

You have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information. Once you exercise this right, data brokers must:

Cease selling your information to third parties
Remove you from their marketing lists
Honor your opt-out request for at least 12 months

The Right to Non-Discrimination

Tennessee law prohibits companies from discriminating against you for exercising your privacy rights. They cannot:

Deny you goods or services
Charge different prices or rates
Provide different quality of service
Threaten to take adverse action

How to Exercise Your Data Deletion Rights

Exercising your Tennessee privacy rights involves several steps. Here's what you need to know:

Step 1: Identify Which Data Brokers Have Your Information

Before you can request deletion, you need to identify which companies are collecting and selling your data. Common data brokers operating in Tennessee include:

People search sites (BeenVerified, TruthFinder, Spokeo)
Marketing data companies (Epsilon, Acxiom, Oracle Data Cloud)
Credit reporting agencies and data aggregators
Background check services
Real estate and property information services

You can discover which brokers have your information by conducting searches on their websites or using a free scan to identify your data across multiple platforms.

Step 2: Locate the Data Broker's Privacy Policy

Each data broker operating in Tennessee must maintain a publicly accessible privacy policy explaining their data practices. This policy should include:

Contact information for submitting deletion requests
The types of data they collect
How long they retain information
Your rights under Tennessee law

Step 3: Submit Your Deletion Request

You can submit a data deletion request through several methods:

Online Request Forms: Most major data brokers offer online portals where you can submit deletion requests directly through their websites.

Email Requests: Send a detailed email to the data broker's privacy contact address requesting deletion of your personal information. Include:

Your full name
All addresses associated with your account
Phone numbers and email addresses
A clear statement: "I request deletion of all personal information under Tennessee privacy law"

Certified Mail: For important records, send your request via certified mail to the data broker's registered address, requesting a return receipt.

Phone Requests: Some brokers accept verbal deletion requests by phone, though you should follow up with written confirmation.

Step 4: Verify Deletion

After submitting your request, follow up to ensure compliance:

Keep records of your request (screenshots, confirmation numbers, email receipts)
Wait 30-45 days for processing
Search the data broker's site again to verify your information has been removed
Document the results with screenshots

Which Data Brokers Operate in Tennessee

Tennessee residents should be aware of the major data brokers actively collecting and selling personal information. Here are the most significant players:

Major National Data Brokers

People Search Platforms:

BeenVerified
TruthFinder
Spokeo
MyLife
PeopleFinder
Instant Checkmate

Data Aggregation Companies:

Acxiom (one of the largest data brokers globally)
Epsilon
Oracle Data Cloud
Experian
Equifax

Background Check Services:

GoodHire
Checkr
Sterling
HireRight

Real Estate and Property Services:

Zillow
Trulia
Property Shark
County assessor databases

Marketing and Analytics:

Facebook (Meta)
Google
Amazon
Various ad networks and marketing platforms

Most of these companies operate nationwide, including in Tennessee, and are subject to TIPA requirements.

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

If a data broker fails to honor your deletion request or violates your Tennessee privacy rights, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General's office.

Step 1: Gather Documentation

Before filing, compile comprehensive documentation:

Copies of your original deletion request
Proof of submission (email receipts, certified mail receipts, screenshots)
Dates of your requests
Evidence that your data remains accessible (screenshots of the data broker's site showing your information)
Any correspondence with the company
Records of follow-up attempts

Step 2: Prepare Your Complaint

Write a clear, detailed complaint that includes:

Your Information:

Full name
Address
Phone number
Email address

Company Information:

Name of the data broker
Website URL
Contact information you used

Detailed Description:

When you submitted your deletion request
How you submitted it
What specific information you requested be deleted
The company's response (or lack thereof)
Current status of your information

Specific Law Violations:

Reference the specific TIPA provisions violated
Explain how the company's actions harmed you

Step 3: Submit to the Tennessee Attorney General

Mailing Address:

Tennessee Attorney General

Consumer Protection Division

P.O. Box 20207

Nashville, TN 37202

Online Submission:

Visit the Tennessee Attorney General's website to submit complaints through their online portal.

Email:

Many divisions accept complaints via email—check the specific division's website for the correct address.

Step 4: Follow Up

Keep copies of everything you submit
Note the date of submission
Request confirmation of receipt
Follow up after 30 days if you haven't heard back

The Attorney General's office investigates complaints and can take enforcement action against companies violating Tennessee privacy laws.

How GhostMyData Automates Removals Under TIPA

Manually requesting data removal from dozens of data brokers is time-consuming and often frustrating. This is where GhostMyData comes in.

The Problem with Manual Removal

Attempting to remove your data manually involves:

Time-intensive research identifying which brokers have your information
Navigating confusing websites with deliberately obscured privacy settings
Repeated submissions to the same companies as they re-list your information
Tracking and verification across multiple platforms
Following up on ignored requests

Most people give up after a few attempts, leaving their data accessible to anyone willing to pay.

How GhostMyData Works

GhostMyData streamlines the entire data removal process:

1. Comprehensive Scanning

Our free scan identifies which data brokers currently have your personal information. We scan across:

Major people search platforms
Data aggregation networks
Background check services
Marketing databases
Real estate listing services

2. Automated Removal Requests

Once we've identified your data, GhostMyData automatically submits removal requests to each data broker on your behalf. We:

Craft legally compliant requests referencing TIPA
Submit through the most effective channels (online forms, email, certified mail)
Track submission dates and confirmation numbers
Maintain detailed records for your protection

3. Continuous Monitoring

Data brokers often re-list information after removal. GhostMyData continuously monitors your data across platforms:

Periodic scans verify removal success
Automatic re-submission if your data reappears
Monthly reports showing removal status
Alerts when new data appears

4. Legal Compliance

Our service ensures all requests comply with Tennessee privacy law:

Proper legal language citing TIPA provisions
Correct submission procedures for each broker
Documentation suitable for Attorney General complaints
Compliance with all state and federal privacy regulations

Why Choose GhostMyData for Tennessee Data Removal

Expertise: Our team understands TIPA, data broker operations, and removal best practices.

Efficiency: What takes most people months of effort, we accomplish in days.

Accountability: We maintain complete records and provide transparent reporting.

Results: Our average user sees 80%+ of their data removed within 90 days.

Peace of Mind: Ongoing monitoring ensures your data stays removed.

Transparent Pricing

GhostMyData offers straightforward pricing with no hidden fees:

Free scan to identify your data
Monthly monitoring to track removal progress
One-time removal service for immediate action
Annual plans offering the best value for comprehensive protection

Check our pricing page for current rates and package details.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Data Privacy Rights

What is TIPA and how does it protect my data?

TIPA (Tennessee Information Protection Act) is Tennessee's primary privacy law governing how companies collect, use, and protect personal information. It gives you the right to know what data brokers have about you, request deletion of your information, opt out of data sales, and file complaints with the Attorney General if your rights are violated. TIPA applies to any company collecting personal information about Tennessee residents.

How long do data brokers have to delete my information?

Under Tennessee law, data brokers must respond to deletion requests within a reasonable timeframe. While TIPA doesn't specify an exact number of days, industry standards and comparison to similar laws suggest 30-45 days is reasonable. However, some brokers may take longer. GhostMyData tracks response times and follows up on delayed requests.

Can data brokers refuse my deletion request?

Data brokers can only refuse deletion if they have a legal obligation to retain the information (such as for law enforcement purposes) or the data is necessary for their stated business purpose. In most cases, deletion requests must be honored. If a broker refuses without legal justification, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General.

What happens if I file a complaint with the Attorney General?

The Tennessee Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division investigates complaints about privacy law violations. If they find evidence of wrongdoing, they can:

Issue cease-and-desist orders
Seek civil penalties
Require companies to comply with the law
In some cases, pursue criminal charges

Your complaint contributes to enforcement actions that protect all Tennessee residents.

Will removing my data affect my credit score or financial services?

No. Removing your data from commercial data brokers will not affect your credit score or access to financial services. Your credit information is maintained separately by credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and is protected by different laws. Data broker removal only affects marketing data and people search platforms.

How often do I need to renew my data removal requests?

Data brokers sometimes re-acquire and re-list information after removal. This is why ongoing monitoring is important. GhostMyData's continuous monitoring automatically re-submits removal requests if your data reappears, ensuring long-term protection without requiring you to manually re-request removal.

Take Control of Your Tennessee Privacy Today

Your personal data is valuable—to you and to data brokers. Tennessee's privacy laws give you powerful rights to protect your information, but exercising those rights manually is impractical for most people.

GhostMyData makes protecting your Tennessee privacy simple. Our automated service handles the entire removal process, from identifying which brokers have your data to continuously monitoring for re-listings.

Ready to remove your data? Start with a free scan to see exactly what data brokers know about you. Then let GhostMyData handle the rest.

For detailed information about our service, visit our how it works page or review our pricing options. If you want to compare GhostMyData to other data removal services, check out our data broker comparison guide.

Your privacy matters. Take action today.