Discover Launches Free Benefit to Help Customers Remove Personal Information From 10 Popular Data-Collecting Websites

Rhea-AI Summary

Discover Financial Services has launched a free Online Privacy Protection service for customers, allowing them to remove personal information from 10 major people-search websites. This benefit is available through the Discover mobile app and will be rolled out in stages. Research indicates that 83% of consumers are worried about data misuse, while 72% want their information removed from such sites. The service automatically scans participating websites every 90 days, aiming to enhance customer security and reduce identity theft risks.

Positive

• Launch of Online Privacy Protection enhances customer security.
• Free service appeals to a growing consumer demand for data privacy.
• Research indicates 83% of consumers are concerned about data misuse.

Negative

• The service is only available through the mobile app, possibly limiting accessibility.
• Rollout in stages may lead to delays in benefits for some customers.

More than 70% of consumers are interested in having their personal data removed from people-search websites, according to new survey*

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Discover today announced the launch of Online Privacy Protection, a new, free benefit for customers that helps remove their personal information from 10 popular websites that collect and sell user information. This benefit is for both Credit Card and Bank customers and only available in the Discover mobile app.

Online Privacy Protection regularly scans select popular people-search websites and helps remove customers’ personal information, such as their names, addresses, ages and phone numbers, from those sites. People-search websites compile, publish, and sell consumers’ personal information and make it easily accessible for anyone to purchase on public-facing websites.

The free benefit will be rolled out in stages in the coming weeks to customers who enable it in their Discover mobile app. Once customers opt in, Online Privacy Protection automatically scans the following people-search sites about every 90 days: BeenVerified.com, Intellius.com, Yellowpages.com, Addresses.com, PeopleLooker.com, AnyWho.com, InstantPeopleFinder.com, PeopleSmart.com, USsearch.com and ZabaSearch.com.

“Consumers today worry about their personal data ending up in the wrong hands. The process to get this information taken down from people-search websites can be time-consuming, confusing and costly, and consumers are often left to fend for themselves,” said Shannon Kors, vice president of product and marketing at Discover. “Online Privacy Protection is a convenient and free benefit that helps give our customers peace of mind and more control of their personal information online.”

Discover research shows that 83% of consumers expressed concern over the misuse of their personal information and 31% indicated they have no control or not much control over that data.

By helping remove personal information from 10 people-search websites, Discover could reduce the number of unwanted phone calls and emails consumers receive and could help safeguard them against identity theft.

The same research found that 74% of adults are familiar with people-search websites but 64% are not familiar with existing technology that could help remove their information from these sites. In the survey, 72% of consumers indicated they are interested in the removal of their information from these popular data-collecting websites.

Online Privacy Protection builds on Discover’s suite of security benefits for customers. To learn more about Online Privacy Protection, visit discover.com/onlineprivacy.

*About the Research

This survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Discover, between March 22 and March 24, 2022 among a sample of 2,209 Adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a digital banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220420005202/en/

Jennifer Delgado

224-405-1484

jenniferdelgado@discover.com

@Discover_News

Source: Discover Financial Services

FAQ

What is the Online Privacy Protection service from Discover (DFS)?

It's a free service that helps customers remove their personal information from 10 popular people-search websites.

When will the Online Privacy Protection service be available to Discover customers?

The service will be rolled out in stages in the coming weeks.

How often does the Online Privacy Protection service scan websites?

It scans the selected websites every 90 days for personal information removal.

What percentage of consumers are concerned about their personal data according to Discover's research?

83% of consumers expressed concern over the misuse of their personal information.

How can Discover customers learn more about Online Privacy Protection?

Customers can visit discover.com/onlineprivacy for more information.