Like most people, I'm connected to apps, websites and services that collect bits and pieces of my personal information. I get my share of unwanted sales calls, spam emails and texts. And when I Google my name, I'm sometimes surprised by how much information is available for anyone to find.

From old addresses and phone numbers to personal details that aren't always accurate, data brokers collect and share information I'd rather keep private. The frustrating part? Even when you find that information online, getting it removed isn't always easy.

That's what prompted me to try Incogni , a service that helps remove personal information from data brokers and people-search sites. I wanted to see whether it could help me better protect my privacy without spending hours tracking down websites and submitting removal requests myself. According to my Incogni dashboard, the service sent 154 removal requests on my behalf, with 139 completed and 15 still in progress.…