Understanding Texas Privacy Rights and Data Removal

Texas residents have increasingly become aware of how much personal information is collected, bought, and sold by data brokers every single day. If you're concerned about your digital footprint in the Lone Star State, you're not alone. Understanding your Texas privacy rights is the first step toward taking control of your personal information.

The landscape of data privacy in Texas has evolved significantly, particularly with the introduction of comprehensive privacy legislation. This guide will walk you through your rights under Texas law, explain how to exercise them, and show you how GhostMyData can simplify the data removal process.

Overview of Privacy Laws in Texas

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)

Texas has taken meaningful steps to protect resident privacy through the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). This law, which aligns with similar privacy frameworks across the United States, gives Texas residents specific rights regarding their personal data.

The TDPSA represents Texas's commitment to data protection in an increasingly digital world. While Texas historically relied on sector-specific privacy laws, the TDPSA provides broader protections that apply across multiple industries.

How TDPSA Compares to Other State Laws

The Texas data broker law shares similarities with privacy legislation in other states:

CCPA (California): The California Consumer Privacy Act served as a model for many state laws, including TDPSA, establishing the framework for consumer data rights
GDPR (European Union): While more comprehensive, the GDPR influenced the emphasis on transparency and consumer control in TDPSA
Other state laws: Texas joins states like Colorado, Virginia, and Connecticut in implementing comprehensive privacy protection frameworks

The key distinction is that TDPSA specifically addresses how Texas businesses and data brokers handle resident information.

Data Broker Regulations in Texas

A Texas data broker is defined as any entity that collects, maintains, or sells personal information about Texas residents. These brokers are subject to specific requirements under state law, including:

Maintaining reasonable security measures
Honoring consumer requests to delete data
Providing transparency about data collection practices
Notifying consumers of data breaches

Your Specific Rights Under TDPSA

The Right to Know

You have the right to know what personal information a data broker or business collects about you. This includes:

Categories of data collected
Sources of that data
How the data is being used
Who has access to your information
How long data is retained

The Right to Delete

The TDPSA data removal right is one of the most powerful consumer protections. You can request that businesses and data brokers delete your personal information, with limited exceptions for:

Data required by law to be retained
Information needed to complete transactions
Data used for legitimate security purposes
Aggregated or de-identified information

The Right to Correct

You can request corrections to inaccurate personal information held by data brokers and businesses. This is particularly important since data brokers often maintain outdated or incorrect information.

The Right to Opt-Out

You have the right to opt out of:

Sale of your personal information
Sharing of your data for targeted advertising
Profiling activities that affect you

The Right to Appeal

If a business denies your request, you have the right to appeal their decision and potentially file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General.

How to Exercise Your Data Deletion Rights

Step 1: Identify Which Companies Have Your Data

Before you can request deletion, you need to know which organizations hold your information. Common data brokers operating in Texas include:

People search websites
Background check companies
Marketing data aggregators
Social media platforms
Loyalty program operators
Financial institutions
Healthcare providers

You can start by searching for yourself online to see which sites display your information.

Step 2: Gather Required Information

When submitting deletion requests, have ready:

Your full legal name
Current address
Previous addresses (if applicable)
Email address
Phone number
Any account numbers or identifiers

Step 3: Submit Your Deletion Request

Most companies provide online submission forms or email addresses for privacy requests. Your request should:

Clearly state you're requesting deletion under TDPSA
Identify the specific information you want removed
Provide sufficient information to verify your identity
Include your signature (electronic is acceptable)

Step 4: Keep Documentation

Save all correspondence including:

Dates you submitted requests
Confirmation numbers
Responses from companies
Proof of delivery

This documentation is important if you need to file a complaint.

Which Data Brokers Operate in Texas

Several major data brokers actively collect and sell information about Texas residents:

People Search Sites: Whitepages, Spokeo, TruthFinder, BeenVerified
Background Check Companies: Instant Checkmate, GoodHire, Checkr
Data Aggregators: Acxiom, Experian, Equifax
Marketing Platforms: Various ad networks and marketing automation companies
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms

Each of these companies maintains different types of information and has different removal processes. This is where the complexity of removing data Texas residents face becomes apparent—there's no single process for all companies.

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

If a company ignores your deletion request or fails to respond appropriately, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office.

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Compile documentation showing:

Your deletion request and when you submitted it
The company's response (or lack thereof)
Dates of all communications
Proof that the company still holds your data

Step 2: Visit the Texas Attorney General Website

Access the complaint portal at the Texas Attorney General's office. Look for the Consumer Protection Division or Privacy section.

Step 3: Complete the Complaint Form

Provide:

Your contact information
The company's name and contact details
Description of the violation
Copies of supporting documentation
The relief you're seeking

Step 4: Submit and Track

Submit your complaint and keep the reference number. The Attorney General's office will investigate and may take enforcement action if violations are found.

Step 5: Follow Up

Check the status of your complaint periodically. The investigation process can take several months.

How GhostMyData Automates Removals Under TDPSA

Submitting individual removal requests to dozens of data brokers is time-consuming and complicated. This is where GhostMyData simplifies the process.

Our Automated Approach

GhostMyData uses advanced technology to:

Identify data brokers: We scan the internet to find where your information appears
Prepare requests: Our system generates compliant deletion requests under TDPSA
Submit systematically: We submit requests to data brokers on your behalf
Track responses: We monitor company responses and follow up on non-compliance
Document everything: We maintain complete records for your protection

The GhostMyData Advantage

Rather than spending hours researching data brokers and crafting individual requests, you can free scan your information and let our system handle the heavy lifting.

Our service includes:

Comprehensive data broker identification
Automated TDPSA-compliant request generation
Submission to all relevant companies
Follow-up on non-responsive brokers
Documentation for potential complaints
Ongoing monitoring for new data broker listings

How It Works

Sign up and complete a free scan of your information
Review results showing where your data appears
Authorize removal requests
We handle everything from there—submission, follow-up, and documentation

Our how it works page provides detailed information about our process.

Cost-Effective Solution

Compared to the time investment of manual removal, GhostMyData's service is remarkably affordable. Check our pricing page to see plans that fit your needs.

The Importance of Taking Action

Your personal information is valuable. Data brokers profit from selling your data to marketers, scammers, and other third parties. Taking control of your information isn't just about privacy—it's about security and preventing identity theft.

Texas residents have legal rights under TDPSA. Using those rights effectively requires persistence and documentation. GhostMyData ensures you can exercise these rights without the burden of manual requests.

FAQ

What is the TDPSA and when does it apply?

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) is Texas's comprehensive privacy law that applies to for-profit entities that collect personal information about Texas residents. It applies regardless of where the company is located, as long as they do business in Texas and meet certain thresholds for data collection.

How long does it take for data brokers to remove my information?

Companies generally have 45 days to respond to deletion requests under TDPSA. However, some may take longer, and some may deny requests claiming exemptions. GhostMyData tracks all timelines and follows up on non-responsive companies.

Can data brokers refuse to delete my information?

Yes, under certain circumstances. Companies can refuse deletion if:

The data is required by law to retain
The information is needed to complete a transaction you initiated
The data is used for legitimate security purposes
The information is aggregated or de-identified

However, most personal information held by data brokers doesn't fall into these categories and should be deleted upon request.

What should I do if a company ignores my deletion request?

Document all communication attempts and file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office. GhostMyData maintains complete documentation of all requests and responses, making this process easier if needed.

Is GhostMyData's service legal and compliant?

Yes. GhostMyData's removal requests comply fully with TDPSA and other applicable privacy laws. We work within the legal framework to help you exercise your rights as a Texas resident.

Take Control of Your Data Today

Your privacy matters. Under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, you have the legal right to know what data brokers hold about you and to demand its deletion. However, exercising these rights across dozens of companies is complex and time-consuming.

GhostMyData automates this process, ensuring your TDPSA data removal requests are submitted correctly, tracked, and followed up on. Rather than spending weeks managing individual requests, let our system handle the work.

Start with a free scan to see where your information appears online. Then authorize our service to remove your data from data brokers across Texas. Your digital privacy is worth protecting—and with GhostMyData, it's easier than ever.

Visit ghostmydata.com to learn more about how we help Texas residents reclaim their privacy under TDPSA.