What is Permission Slip?

Another data removal tool has entered the ring

Screenshot of Permission Slip | Screenshot taken by Monique

Created by Consumer Reports, an independent and nonprofit organization, Permission Slip is a free iOS/Android app that aims to take back control of your data. Released in 2023, the app acts as a data broker removal tool. With Permission Slip, you can do the following:

• You can find out what data companies collect, buy, and sell about you

• You can initiate data removal requests

• Delete unwanted or no longer use accounts

For a more in depth look at what Permission Slip can do, you can check it out here.

Basically, Permission Slip is similar to paid data broker removal services, but it's done through an app, and it's free, making it more accessible. It’s also similar to the PrivacyBot, which I discussed last week, as it acts more of a self-serving tool, but I wouldn’t qualify it as such since it still requires a middleman (Consumer Reports).

Some things to keep in mind if you use the app:

• It might not cover all of the services you use

• You still have to share your personal information with Consumer Reports when going through a data removal request. According to their privacy policy, they do need quite a lot, which differs with the PrivacyBot as they only request the minimum amount

• It doesn’t seem to target people search sites

I wasn’t able to really take a deep dive into the tool and its use prior to this writing, but I hope to do so in the coming weeks. However, from what I have researched so far, it seems like an invaluable tool to remove your data from data brokers, and you should consider adding it to your privacy list.

Until Next Time,

Monique🎈

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Links:

With Its New Permission Slip App, Consumer Reports Aims To Make Online Privacy More Accessible To Every Person

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